On October 26, 2026, representatives of uniformed services, the judiciary, and family support institutions gathered at the Ecological Education Center – Egzotarium in Sosnowiec to discuss cooperation standards during the procedure of the forced removal of a child. The event was initiated by officers from the Prevention Department of the Katowice Voivodeship Police Headquarters and representatives of the District Court in Sosnowiec, with the support of the Sosnowiec Municipal Police Headquarters. Participants included judges, court guardians, police officers, social workers from the Municipal Social Welfare Center, and specialists from the education sector.
The importance of coordination in difficult procedures
The procedure for the forced removal of a child is recognized as one of the most difficult operational and legal situations faced by state institutions. As noted by the organizers, the effectiveness of such actions relies not only on knowledge of applicable regulations but also on the proper preparation of personnel and sensitivity to the child's situation and their environment. A key element is the proper division of roles between various services, efficient information flow, and tight coordination of actions. This approach aims to protect both children and officers, as well as to limit the additional stress associated with conducting the procedure.
Participants and event leadership
The conference was formally opened by the President of the District Court in Sosnowiec, Andrzej Czaputa, and the Head of the Prevention Department of the Katowice Voivodeship Police Headquarters, Junior Inspector Katarzyna Wesołowska. An introduction to the meeting's themes was prepared by District Court Guardian Agnieszka Gawor and Monika Holewa, the Mayor's Plenipotentiary for External Funds and Social Policy in Sosnowiec. Participants emphasized the importance of exchanging experiences between different institutions and the need to act in an integrated manner, taking into account the safety of all involved persons.
Presentations and substantive discussion
During the conference, legal, operational, and care-related issues connected with the discussed procedure were presented. Legal aspects were detailed by Judge Monika Jurek-Dziuba from the III Family and Juvenile Division of the District Court in Zawiercie. The perspective of court guardianship was presented by Bożena Kowalska, Deputy District Court Guardian of the District Court in Sosnowiec. Police actions in the context of this procedure were explained by Police Commissioner Ewelina Stępień-Hajda from the Katowice Voivodeship Police Headquarters and Deputy Commissioner Tomasz Mogielski from the Sosnowiec Municipal Police Headquarters. Issues related to family foster care were outlined by Agnieszka Górska-Karp, head of the family foster care team at the MOPS in Sosnowiec. Dr. Andrzej Świerczek, a psychotherapist, academic teacher, and specialist court guardian at the District Court in Będzin, also participated in the event, allowing the topic to be addressed from a psychological perspective as well.