Europol
Given the capacity of terrorism and organised crime in the European Union (EU) law enforcement agencies need an effective and co-operative international response, and in particular, counter-terrorist strategies across the EU. The Maastricht Treaty of 1992 proposed the establishment of a new focal point in tackling such matters, and this has become realised with the establishment of the European Police Office, or Europol.
The establishment of Europol was first agreed upon on February 7, 1992 in the Treaty on European Union, also called the Maastricht Treaty. Article K.3 of the Treaty concerned the Establishment of a European Police Office, specifying the new body’s governance structure and its function to facilitate cooperation among the police of the EU member states. On January 3, 1994, Europol started limited operations in The Hague, The Netherlands, in the form of the Europol Drugs Unit that was specifically centred on the policing of international drugs crimes. Progressively, other areas of international criminality were added. On July 18, 1995, a Europol Convention was formally drawn up in Brussels and, on October 1, 1998, the Convention came into force when it had been ratified by all member states (Europol Convention, 1995). Europol immediately commenced its full range of activities in July 1999.
Function and Role of Europol
Based on the provisions of the Europol Convention, the objectives of Europol are to improve the effectiveness of and cooperation among the police authorities of the EU member states in order to prevent and combat serious international organized crime. Europol’s specific areas of criminal investigation include the illicit trafficking in drugs, vehicles, and human beings, money-laundering and terrorism. Priority is given to crimes against persons, financial crimes, and cyber-crimes, when an organized criminal structure is involved and when the criminal activity involves two or more member states of the EU. As of January 1, 2002,
The establishment of Europol was first agreed upon on February 7, 1992 in the Treaty on European Union, also called the Maastricht Treaty. Article K.3 of the Treaty concerned the Establishment of a European Police Office, specifying the new body’s governance structure and its function to facilitate cooperation among the police of the EU member states. On January 3, 1994, Europol started limited operations in The Hague, The Netherlands, in the form of the Europol Drugs Unit that was specifically centred on the policing of international drugs crimes. Progressively, other areas of international criminality were added. On July 18, 1995, a Europol Convention was formally drawn up in Brussels and, on October 1, 1998, the Convention came into force when it had been ratified by all member states (Europol Convention, 1995). Europol immediately commenced its full range of activities in July 1999.
Function and Role of Europol
Based on the provisions of the Europol Convention, the objectives of Europol are to improve the effectiveness of and cooperation among the police authorities of the EU member states in order to prevent and combat serious international organized crime. Europol’s specific areas of criminal investigation include the illicit trafficking in drugs, vehicles, and human beings, money-laundering and terrorism. Priority is given to crimes against persons, financial crimes, and cyber-crimes, when an organized criminal structure is involved and when the criminal activity involves two or more member states of the EU. As of January 1, 2002,