Roman Polko

Roman Polko (born November 8, 1962, in Tychy, Poland) is a retired Polish army special forces officer, acting chief of Biuro Bezpieczeństwa Narodowego (Bureau of National Security), former commander of "JW GROM", doctor of military science studies, speciality: management.

Polko graduated from the"Tadeusz Kościuszko Land Forces Military Academy" in Wrocław. He served in a reconnaissance unit in Dziwnów, then in the "1st Special Commando Regiment" in Lubliniec, as commander of commando groups. From 1992 until 1994 he took part in the UNPROFOR peace mission in former Yugoslavia.

In 1994 Polko began to study at the "National Defence University in Warsaw", after that he served in the position of a senior operation officer in the "Czerwone Berety" (Red Berets) in Kraków. He also finished Ranger School and Pathfinder Course in USA.

In 1999 Polko became popular commander of the "18th Landing-Assault Battalion" from Bielsko-Biała, which was a part of the Polish military contingent in the NATO KFOR forces in Kosovo. Polko was assigned as commander of the Polish contingent.

From May 26, 2000, until February 11, 2004, he was commander of the special forces unit "GROM". He commanded the GROM unit behind enemy lines in Iraq, during the Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2006 Polko returned to active duty, on February 23 again became commander of GROM. Since March 2006 brigadier general (generał brygady). On September 7, 2006, Polko was nominated for the post of deputy chief of Biuro Bezpieczeństwa Narodowego (Bureau of National Security). In August 2007 he became acting chief of National Security Bureau, because previous chief was nominated for the post of minister of internal affairs. On August 15, 2007, Polko was promoted to major general (generał dywizji).

He is an active sportsman, taking part in marathons, ski and parachute instructor (master class). At the 19th Pol'and'Rock Festival he was invited to speak at the "Akademia Sztuk Przepięknych" (eng. "Academy of (very) Beautiful Arts").

Honours and decorations

 * POL Srebrny Krzyż Zasługi BAR.svg Silver Cross of Merit
 * POL Srebrny Medal Siły Zbrojne w Służbie Ojczyzny BAR.svg Armed Forces in Service for the Country Medal (Silver)
 * POL Złoty Medal za Zasługi dla Obronności Kraju BAR.svg Medal for Merit for the Country Defense (Gold)
 * US Commendation Medal BAR.svg Commendation Medal (United States Army)
 * ONZ Medal w Służbie Pokoju UNPROFOR BAR.svg United Nations 'In The Service Of Peace' Medal - UNPROFOR
 * NATO medal for Kosovo ribbon.svg NATO Medal for Kosovo Service
 * Legion of Merit ribbon.svg Legion of Merit (United States)