Meet the police officer from Poland helping to look after Doncaster's Polish community
A Doncaster police officer who was born in Poland is helping to look after the city’s Polish community, by strengthening ties through a number of initiatives.
PC Michal Kolasa is an officer for Doncaster Central Neighbourhood Policing Team and has been using his Polish heritage and background to strengthen ties with the city's Polish community.
He moved to Doncaster from his native Poland when he was 11 years old.
From a young age, he’d always had aspirations of joining the police and when he saw police officers in Doncaster he knew where his career was heading.
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Our neighbourhood officers are at the heart of our communities, working to solve problems and get to know the residents of the areas they serve to protect.
“Using his lived experience and language skills, PC Kolasa has been able to support Doncaster's sizeable Polish population, ensuring that they feel seen, heard and supported.”
PC Kolasa has helped to organise a number of engagement events, which have been very well received by Doncaster's Polish community.
He recently held a community meeting at St Peter-in-Chains RC Church which was attended by a number of Polish families.
It gave them the chance to learn more about what their local police officers can do for them and to chat about any issues they are currently experiencing.
The children even got the chance to see inside a police car, which was a huge hit for the youngsters in attendance.
PC Kolasa said: "I'm really motivated to continue working with the Polish community and strengthening our relationships with them.
"Language should never be a barrier when it comes to reporting crime and I want everyone living in Doncaster, regardless of their nationality, to know that we are here to listen to them and support them.
"Please speak to us, engage with us and let us help you. Let’s trust each other and solve problems together.
He added: “Even if your English is broken or you don’t know any at all, help is there for you, so please don’t let that stop you from speaking to us because we are always ready to listen.”
You can contact South Yorkshire Police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.