Silence and loyalty in the uniformed services. Psychosocial mechanisms of victims' failure to report bullying - conference findings.
There is a strong culture of loyalty and so-called 'conspiracy of silence' among uniformed services such as the police, border guards and firefighters. As a result of this phenomenon, officers rarely decide to report mobbing, as they fear exclusion from their environment, professional consequences and social stigmatisation. About covert psychological violence in the services during the conference on 23 April 2025, spoke Dr Rafał Guzowski, lecturer and programme director Institute for Homeland Security and Criminology.
Bullying - hidden violence in uniform
Bullying is not just a one-off conflict - it is systematic, long-term psychological harassment in the workplace. It manifests itself through humiliation, ridicule, criticism or obstruction of duties. In the services, where discipline and hierarchy play a key role, distinguishing between command and violence can be difficult - but necessary.
Why are the victims silent?
In his paper, Dr Rafał Guzowski from the University of Vocational Training in Wrocław analysed the complex web of psychosocial conditions that cause officers not to report violence. These include:
- shame, guilt and the need to belong;
- fear of losing one's position, entitlements or even one's job;
- disbelief in the effectiveness of the support system;
- strong pressure to "be tough" and avoid "complaints";
- an organisational culture that prizes loyalty to the group, not to values.
What does the research show?
Surveys among police officers in the Lubelskie Voivodeship showed that:
- 30% experienced verbal aggression;
- 17% received absurd tasks in a systematic way.
In turn, a 2014 Interior Ministry report revealed that:
- Over 40% women in the uniformed services felt discriminated against on the basis of gender, maternity plans or lack of availability outside working hours.
Bullying as the theme of an international conference
This topic was further discussed during the international scientific conference organised by our University and entitled 'The European Union.
"Bullying as a destructive aspect of the work environment"..
This event, aimed at representatives of various professions - not just the uniformed services - addressed the universal issues of bullying:
- How do you recognise the first signs of psychological violence?
- What are its implications for individuals and organisations?
- How to prevent and respond effectively?
Renowned experts from Poland and abroad shared their knowledge, and the conference provided a space for the exchange of experiences, reflections and proposals for viable solutions.
Conclusions
Silence is not the absence of violence - it is the result of it. Loyalty, which is intended to protect the common good, is unfortunately sometimes a tool of intimidation and exclusion. If bullying is operating in the institutions set up to protect society, we must ask a fundamental question: Who protects those who are supposed to protect us?