Police Cooperation in the European Union, Supported by Strengthening the eu Internal Security’s External Dimension

What is it about?

eu policing is confronted by more new challenges as the society changes, especially concerning Europe’s changing criminal landscape, where mobile serious and organised crime groups use a “crime-as-a-service” business model and trade in diversified commodities requiring strengthening of the eu internal security’s external dimension. An idea to strengthen eu security includes both dimensions – the internal and external which need more mutual trust and political support for police cooperation on the eu side, and enhanced cooperation with third countries and other international partners within the external dimension of the eu internal security. A limited trust between member states’ law enforcement authorities, as well as limited trust in the eu institutions and agencies still exist. Besides, efficient cooperation among eu member states and the development of a partnership with countries and institutions outside and beyond the eu should be more synergetic, coordinated and complimentary to boost the efficiency and effectiveness in following joint priorities. On a larger scale, cooperation of the member states should be further developed to improve the implementation of operational actions of police forces, especially in the field of the serious crime which already consists of the multiannual strategic plans (masp) and operational action plans (oap). To conclude, the EU documents emphasise police cooperation in the field of serious crime. It is necessary not only to focus on criminal investigation, but also to develop local strategies for the provision of safety and security, especially safety partnerships18 because in the final instance, international and national security threats have consequences for local communities, particularly regarding preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalisation. As the effects of European police cooperation have not been thoroughly studied and evaluated, I believe that this is an important challenge for researchers and European policy makers in the field of formal social control.

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