In the process of reconstructing a democratic political order in Poland, significant changes have occurred in many areas of life. Poland thus provides an opportunity to study what needs to be done to make the police more democratic and what needs to be accomplished to overcome public perceptions and long traditions of repressive police. Concepts related to the nature of the police role in a democratic society are discussed, and directions such concepts and ideas might move toward in a newly transformed democratic society such as Poland are addressed. The focus is on police-community relations, basic organizational and structural changes introduced by the Polish police and the impact of these changes on the nature of the police role, police training, public views of the police, police attitudes, and police corruption. Perspectives on the future of the democratization process in Poland and its impact on the Polish police are offered. 11 references