He worked in the homicide department and later received a sentence. He was the inspiration for Despero in “Pitbull”

In 2005, the premiere of the crime film “Pitbull” took place. The production attracted huge crowds to cinemas, becoming the beginning of a series beloved by viewers. However, it all started with the documentary “Real Dogs”, in which policeman Sławomir Opala appeared. It was he who inspired the director to create the character of Despero. However, his story had a tragic ending.

He was the prototype of the character Despero. He was sent to prison accused of collaborating with the mafia

Sławomir Opala was a police officer of the Warsaw Police Headquarters in the homicide department. He was entrusted with the most complicated matters. In his work, he used unconventional methods which, although not widely appreciated, were the most effective. Despite many connections with the criminal world, where he had his informants, he was considered a person with iron principles who always acted in accordance with the letter of the law. – We sacrifice our private lives so that one thug knows that he does not do certain things with impunity. (…) The border is so blurry that its line can be defined either by your own morality or by a final court verdict – he said in the documentary “Real Dogs”. The film and the series brought him enormous popularity, but his superiors did not like it. Ultimately, he resigned from his job and started working as a negotiator in Detective Rutkowski’s office.

Soon after, his reputation fell into ruin and his life turned upside down. In 2011, he was arrested by the CBA and accused of participating in an organized criminal group, which was a branch of the Proszów mafia. He was said to have been brought down by the testimony of Piotr K., nicknamed “Broda”, who was a crown witness in the investigation into the activities of this group. To those who met Opala personally, the accusations seemed absurd. Even Patryk Vega himself came to his defense. The policeman maintained that he was innocent and perhaps he could prove it, but he knew how the system worked from behind the scenes. The case could drag on for years, so he decided to speed up the process by voluntarily submitting himself to punishment. – I wasn’t afraid of anything. It was pure calculation – . He spent 2.5 years in prison.

After regaining freedom, he starred in one more film. Opala committed suicide

However, the long-awaited release turned out to be far from his expectations. His tainted biography prevented him from returning not only to work in the police, but also to any other institution related to this industry. He did not expect that it would be so difficult for him to find any job, because the verdict effectively discouraged all potential employers. – I’m 47 years old, I’m a dog by profession, I can’t return to the industry. And I won’t take my CV to an intermediary or send it to companies. I didn’t really know what was waiting for me beyond the gate. Will I get the green light to start, or will I undergo a hard reset and have to start everything from scratch – he said in an interview with

Eventually he recovered. In 2014, he even appeared in the film “Special Services” by Vega, playing an ABW officer, and later in the miniseries of the same title. However, his painful past still weighed heavily on him, and although he argued that he had forgotten about the prison, the reality was completely different. On July 26, 2014, Sławomir Opala committed suicide. He was 48 years old at the time of his death.

If you are experiencing difficulties and are thinking about taking your own life or want to help someone at risk of suicide, remember that you can use the free help numbers:

• Support Center for Adults in Mental Crisis: 800-70-2222
• Helpline for Children and Youth: 116 111
• Emotional support phone number for adults: 116 123

Below you will find more information on how to help yourself or others, as well as contacts to organizations helping people in crisis and their loved ones. If suicidal thoughts or a suicide attempt are life-threatening, for immediate crisis intervention, call the police on 112 or go to the emergency department of your local psychiatric hospital.