The institution of joint international patrols in border regions is not a necessity but can, in certain dimensions, contribute to the effectiveness of border area operations. In response to our editorial team's question about specific data demonstrating the superior effectiveness of binational patrols, the Ministry of Interior and Administration replied that it does not possess data in this area.
International patrols are staffed by an officer from the country of operation and a second officer from the neighboring state. Depending on the location of operations, the patrol is led by the officer from the respective country.
In 2024, 71 joint Polish-German patrols were conducted in the West Pomeranian garrison, carried out by the district commands in Gryfino and Police, as well as the Municipal Police Command in Swinoujscie.
In the period from January 1 to March 31, 2025, officers from the Border Guard Post in Szczecin conducted a total of 98 joint patrols — 57 on the Polish side and 41 on the German side.
In the Lubusz region, joint patrols are conducted in Gubin/Guben and within the framework of the Polish-German Cooperation Center in Swiecko. In the area of the Nadodrzanski Border Guard Division, three joint Polish-German posts operate.
Polish-Czech police patrols operate on the basis of agreements between the Polish National Police Commander and the Presidium of the Police of the Czech Republic, particularly in border regions. Polish-Slovak patrols operate under the Implementing Agreement of 2009.
In contrast to Polish-German patrols, Polish-Lithuanian patrols are fewer in number, which is due to the shorter border (104 km). However, cooperation is more active in the context of security in the border region, where the proximity of Belarus and the Kaliningrad Oblast requires heightened vigilance.
