On October 20–21, 2026, international exercises for services responsible for safety in railway transport were conducted in Łódź. The event, titled “RAILEX 2026 – Direct Combat in Confined Spaces,” took place under the patronage of the European Association of Railway Police Organizations. The main objective of the maneuvers was to improve the skills of officers from Polish and foreign formations in responding to threats on trains and railway premises.
Participants included officers from the Łódź Police Preventive Division and members of the Railway Protection Service (Straż Ochrony Kolei). They were joined by representatives of police services from Germany, the United Kingdom, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Observers in the exercises included delegates from RAILPOL member states as well as officers from the National Police of Ukraine. This international composition allowed for the exchange of experience between different public safety systems.
The exercise scenarios focused on typical threats encountered in railway transport. Officers trained procedures for intervening against aggressive fans traveling by train and for identifying and detaining individuals posing a threat. The maneuvers also included training on providing aid to persons injured in incidents. A key element was joint operations under conditions requiring rapid response, precise coordination between services, and the maintenance of rigorous safety measures.
On the second day, October 21, the final phase of the exercises was carried out. The scenario utilized an actual train composition, allowing for the reflection of real confined-space conditions. An important tactical element was reconnaissance using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV/drone). After gathering reconnaissance information, operational teams carried out coordinated actions aimed at neutralizing the threat and detaining the most aggressive individuals.
After the practical portion concluded, participants met for a debriefing of the event. They discussed the course of individual scenario episodes, exchanged operational experiences, and formulated conclusions regarding the further improvement of cooperation between services. The participation of the Łódź preventive police in RAILEX 2026 provided an opportunity to enhance professional competencies and strengthen cooperation with foreign partners in the area of public safety.