The police chief of Przemyśl, Poland, was caught speeding by his own officers and lost his driver’s license for three months.
Police Chief Detained, Loses Driving Privileges
The head of the Przemyśl City Police, Police Inspector Janusz Kiszka, was detained by traffic police after significantly exceeding the speed limit in a built-up area. He was driving a police vehicle 63 km/h over the posted limit.
As a result, he received a fine, penalty points, and had his driver’s license suspended for three months.
Incident Details
The incident occurred in late January 2026. Officers from the Traffic Department in Przemyśl stopped a Toyota traveling in a built-up area at 63 km/h over the speed limit.
Police spokesperson Junior Sergeant Karolina Kowalik confirmed that the driver was the unit commander. The information was first reported by Onet.
Legal Consequences
According to current regulations, exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h in a built-up area results in a mandatory three-month driver’s license suspension. Procedures were followed without exception in this case.
Police representatives emphasize that no leniency was shown to the commander, highlighting this as an example of proper service operation.
Unmarked Vehicle and Deputy’s Presence
The vehicle Janusz Kiszka was driving was an unmarked police patrol car. His first deputy, Young Inspector Dariusz Dźwierzyński, was also in the car at the time of the incident.
Questions Regarding Deputy’s Role
The presence of the deputy raised questions about a potential response to the traffic violation. However, police clarified that only the driver is responsible for the offense, and no consequences were announced for the passenger.
Resident Concerns and Allegations of Violations
The case came to light following a report from a Przemyśl resident who claimed the commander continued to drive despite losing his license. Monitoring footage from a building allegedly showed him using a car daily.
Police Response to Allegations
Police responded to these reports, explaining that the vehicle in question—a black Audi—belongs to the commander’s wife and is used by her. The commander himself denied violating the driving ban.
Commander’s Statement: Admission of Error
In a statement, Janusz Kiszka admitted to the offense and accepted all resulting consequences. He emphasized that the intervening officers acted in accordance with regulations and professional ethics.
He also stated that the situation is a valuable lesson and that his position carries particular responsibility. He also indicated there are no grounds to believe he violated the driving ban.
Response from Superiors and Police Procedures
The Voivodeship Police Headquarters in Rzeszów confirmed that the commander from Przemyśl informed his superiors about the penalty, as required by regulations. A clarifying conversation was held with him regarding the situation.
According to service regulations, such cases do not always result in automatic disciplinary consequences, such as dismissal. Decisions are made individually, considering the circumstances.
Broader Issue of Police Speeding
Experts point out that cases of traffic violations by officers, though relatively rare, generate significant public emotion. The police, as an institution responsible for enforcing the law, must maintain the highest standards, and any deviation from them affects public perception.
Data from the National Police Headquarters shows that speeding remains a major cause of road accidents in Poland. In 2025, excessive speed was a significant factor in fatal road accidents.
Janusz Kiszka’s Experience and Career
Janusz Kiszka has served in the police force since 1996. Throughout his career, he has held various positions within the Przemyśl command, including leadership roles in patrol and intelligence departments. He was appointed city commander on April 20, 2021.
He is also a decorated officer, having received the Bronze Cross of Merit, the Silver Medal for Long Service, and the “Distinguished Police Officer” insignia. He also holds a doctorate in security sciences.
