The article presents the transformation of special services in Poland against the background of political changes. It presents the activities of security bodies – civil and military intelligence and counterintelligence during the communist era. Their task was to strengthen communist power, eliminate opponents of the system, strengthen the alliance of socialist countries led by the USSR, and fight against democratic opposition. The creation of new special services was also shown: the UOP and the WSI. The focus was on the new tasks that were set for them in connection with the democratic changes and new alliances. There were presented spectacular UOP actions, which contributed to raising the prestige of Poland on the international arena.