Sport in the State Police of the Silesian Voivodeship in the years 1922–1939

Abstract

The development of sport in the police in 1922–1939 played an important role in the professional and private life of every policeman. In the police work, the basis for the implementation of the entrusted tasks is an above-average level of motor skills. The physical fitness system in the Silesian and state police of the Second Polish Republic is completely omitted in the literature on the subject. Therefore, the goal of this article was to undertake further historical research in this area, taking into account the broad issue of the development of sport in The Police during this period. In the article, on the basis of a query of historical materials collected in the Archives of Modern Records in Warsaw, the Central Archives of Police in Warsaw, the State Archives in Katowice, the Silesian Government and the Provincial Office in Katowice, I described courses and trainings increasing the fitness and promotion of physical culture among officers. They form the entire system of improving the efficiency in the ranks of The Silesian Police. I detailed the actions that led to the uprising in Silesia and across the country dozens of Police Sports Clubs.

The article is an attempt to present an important issue concerning the functioning of this formation in the field of pro-sport activities. It contains descriptions of courses, trainings, sport disciplines, instructors and trainers, types of competitions and sports results at the voivodeship level.