The Territorial Defense Force in the fight against terrorism – institutional and legal issues

Abstract

The Territorial Defense Force is of great interest to politicians, the media and public opinion. A great deal of misinformation and misconceptions have arisen about the subject related to the newly created type of the Polish Armed Forces. Therefore, the aim of the article is to familiarize the reader with the role, place and tasks of the Territorial Defense Force in the national system of combating terrorism based on the provisions of the law in force in Poland. The article attempts to determine the opportunities and threats under the provisions of the Act on Anti-Terrorism of June 10, 2016, and the Act amending the Act on the Universal Obligation to Defend the Republic of Poland and certain other acts of November 16, 2016, to the Territorial Defense Force and for the security of the country. Comparative analysis of the legal acts mentioned above seems necessary for a better understanding of the peculiarities of the operation of the Territorial Defense Force in the Polish legal system and the security system.