On Nov. 7, police in Łódź forcibly extracted a 40‑year‑old driver from a car after witnesses believed he was intoxicated and authorities suspected a stroke.
Police Intervention in Łódź Parking
On 7 November, police responded to a report of three cars damaged in the parking lot of the Św. Teresa shopping centre in Łódź. A 40‑year‑old driver was named as responsible. Witnesses who confiscated his keys claimed he was drunk.
Forceful Extraction and Breath‑Test
A councillor from Zgierz, acquainted with the victim, described that officers, upon arrival, forcibly extracted the man from the vehicle, dropped him on the ground, and only afterward conducted a breath‑alcohol test. A city police spokesperson later clarified that officers did not throw the man; the handcuffs were meant to prevent an escape.
Stroke, Not Intoxication
Police used non‑direct physical restraint after an order to leave the car went unheeded. The driver claimed he could not disembark because of a stroke. The councillor noted that the man’s lack of response could be explained by left‑side body paralysis, possibly misinterpreted. Breath‑test results showed he was sober. Due to known heart problems, an ambulance was dispatched, and a medical assessment suggested a stroke. He was taken to hospital.
Wife Shocked by Treatment
The driver’s wife received a video of the incident, showing him pressed to asphalt by police. She said she may file a complaint with the prosecutor. She criticized the use of handcuffs on a semi‑conscious, non‑threatening individual and reported that police told him to move, but he could not, so they dragged him. She stated the intervention appeared normal overall.
Police Order Investigation
The Łódź city police commander authorised investigative procedures into the incident following online disclosures. The commander urged that while the actions were generally deemed normal, the circumstances warrant in‑depth examination.
