6th & 7th November
Torremolinos, Spain
Draft Agenda November Congress - Torremolinos 2024
Page 1-3
Minutes of Spring Committee Meeting - Malta April 2024
Page 4-21
EuroCOP Statutes updated 9th November 2023
Page 22-32
Action plan 2024-28
Page 33-37
WEDNESDAY 6 NOVEMBER
Formal start of EuroCOP Congress 2024
Chair of the meeting Unn Alma Skatvold opening remarks
Determination of number of registered delegates and votes
Adoption of draft agenda
Adoption of draft minutes of the EuroCOP Spring Meeting – Malta
Welcome from host country
Roberto García González, Excom Member and CCOO
Chair to request meeting to stand and remember in silence all those Police Officers who have lost their lives since we last met
The role of the ETUC/ ETUF and the importance of this organisation in respect of industrial relations within the European institutions
Livia Spera, General Secretary European Transport Workers Union
President’s address
Jonne Rinne President EuroCOP
Chair will invite delegates and/or observers of each member organisations present to take to the floor for a maximum of 2 minutes each to introduce themselves and their organisation, and the primary challenge their organisation are currently dealing with
Refreshment break
Industrial action taken by Police Trade Unions
Panel discussion
Armando Ferreira, SINAPOL
David Kennedy, Scottish Police Federation
Unn Alma Skatvold, Politiets Fellesforbund Norway
Moderated by Nigel Dennis, Head of Office, EuroCOP
Workshop
Police Officers, Industrial Action – what is possible / achievable?
Attendees will join the numbered group as shown on the back of their delegate badge
WEDNESDAY 6 NOVEMBER
Workshop
Police Officers Industrial Action – what is possible / achievable?
Next steps
Groups to present findings to meeting
Refreshment break
1630hrs
1645hrs
1655hrs
1715hrs
EuroCOP group photograph
Internal Auditors Report
Henry Bautista
Treasurer’s Report
Mark Marshallsay
Elections of Excom – 3 vacancies
Nigel Dennis, Head of Office EuroCOP
1 x Nordic Region
Candidate
Unn Alma Skatvold Politiets Fellesforbund Norway
2 x Southern Region
Candidates
Angels Bosch ERNE Spain
Georgios Stamatakis POASY Greece
1745hrs
1945hrs
End of Session
Reception at the La Cabaña beach restaurant (opposite the hotel)
Hosted by British Transport Police Federation, Civil Nuclear Police Federation and Defence Police Federation
Luis Ponte PFOA UK
EuroCOP Manifesto/ Action Plan 2024- 2028 Vote
Head of Office Report
Nigel Dennis Head of Office
THURSDAY 7 NOVEMBER 0900hrs 0930hrs 1000hrs
European LGBTI Police Association
Alain Parmentier
1045hrs
1130hrs
1200hrs
1245hrs
Health and safety issues on the use of electric vehicles within a Police fleet - lessons learnt
Brian Jones, Scottish Police Federation
EU Parliamentary update
EuroCOP - our pathway in lobbying
Dan Wolff and Margareta Przybyla Eurotran Conseil
Closure of Congress
Jonne Rinne, President EuroCOP
Lunch
6th & 7th November
Torremolinos, Spain EuroCOP Congress
Spring Meeting
Draft Minutes, Malta
17th – 18th April 2024
AX Palace Hotel
Draft Minutes
Housekeeping - Nigel Dennis, Head of Office
Opening of meeting by Meeting Chair Unn Alma Skatvold
Heads of Office Nigel Dennis declared that there are 26 Member Organisation’s in attendance, with 67 Delegates/ Observers in attendance. with 39 votes available.
Guests;
Dr Byron CamilleriMinister for Home Affairs , Security and Employment. Government of Malta
Mr Angelo Gafa – Police Commissioner Malta
Mrs Tanja Rakusic Hadzic – Council of Europe Head of Criminal Law, Cooperation Unit Directorate General of Human Rights and the Rule of Law .
Police Firearms Officers Association – Mr Mark Williams & Mr Angelo Deponeo
PFOA Training Services. – Mr M Williams Mr I Bradshaw
Adoption of draft agenda Agenda was adopted unanimously
Adoption of draft minutes of the EuroCOP Spring Meeting 2024 Minutes were adopted unanimously
The Chair asked Conference to stand and observe a 1 minutes silence for all those Police Officers who have passed since we last met .
Welcome from the host country Mr Marlon Hilli Chairman Malta Police Union.
President’s Address (to the EuroCOP Spring Committee Meeting in Malta).
Valued representatives of EuroCOP’s member associations, sisters and brothers.
It is my honour and pleasure to welcome you to the Spring Committee Meeting here in sunny Malta. It has been six months since we met in Spain. I thank you for your active participation during that meeting as well as for your dynamic input for the purpose of defining the direction of EuroCOP. This work is especially meaningful in light of the fact that EU Member States are currently preparing for this summer’s European Parliamentary elections. I will touch back on this issue when discussing the EuroCOP Manifesto.
I would first like to thank the Malta Police Union for inviting us to your beautiful island and hosting this Spring Committee Meeting. It is a privilege to belong to a confederation that represents police officers throughout Europe and in very different operational environments. Despite differing conditions and challenges, our work shares many commonalities. It is a key task of the Malta Police, as well, to safeguard the daily lives of people and ensure that society is safe for all its members, as well as to ensure that legal certainty and the rights and liberties of Europeans are being realised day and night, also for those living and residing in Malta. The key task of the professional unions represented here, however, is to ensure the prerequisites and conditions for police officers and personnel to be able to meet the lofty demands of their work in the most effective and appropriate way possible. Our motto, ‘to protect the protectors’, is being realised within the daily work of our member associations every single day.
We must assure that police officers have the opportunity to participate fully in societal action and related decision-making and that they are not just listened to but actively heard. It is our task to ensure that wages, employment terms, working conditions and the occupational safety of police officers are at the proper level so that, both now and in the future, the ranks of law enforcement continue to attract the best of the best and to carry out their work as intended. It is at least as vital for us to ensure that highly experienced police officers remain on the police force and, at the end of their career, can transition smoothly to a well-deserved retirement. This is the task to which we are all committed. The most concrete example of this is the large group gathered here today, all of us ready to do our part. It is an arduous task and one that has been entrusted to us, specifically. I am convinced that when it comes to this task, our strength as a whole is much greater and more effective than the sum of our parts.
Unfortunately, the police force in Malta is also facing significant challenges in their everyday work and I would like to highlight a few key points. The Malta Police Union has repeatedly emphasised the insufficient number of police personnel. A sufficient number of hands and eyes are necessary to ensure that, today, in this place, we too are able to operate freely in a safe society.Europe’s internal security is undergoing constant changes, and it is EuroCOP’s duty to remind decision-makers of the importance of internal security amidst this evolving global climate. Safety and security form the solid foundation for Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and this should never be forgotten. Without safety and security, there is no future for Europe today or ever. Security is the sum of many factors, not simply the provision of law enforcement alone, but it represents the last line of defence in the event of social disruption. Ultimately, the responsibility for safety and security rests with the police, and that responsibility is indivisible.
Along with sufficient personnel resources, decision-makers must pay more attention to working conditions, well-being at work, wages and the social rights of police officers. The valuation of police work is not directly correlated with wages but it would be dishonest to claim that it doesn’t matter when people consider what they are dedicating their life’s work to. In addition to receiving appreciation for our work, we must receive fair pay that is sufficient to provide a good life for ourselves and our families. This is one factor that those considering a career in law enforcement surely take into account.
Our work is dangerous, so we must have access to the best safety equipment and appropriate training in order to perform our duties successfully. More attention must be paid to issues concerning well-being at work, recovery and the reconciliation between work and free time. Although this profession is considered a calling, we are still people: mothers, fathers and a living part of the society around us. We also have a civil life and the right to time off, even though we are police officers. This is the time to heighten our focus on management and the coping of our employees, when the security situation in Europe is changing. We must retain and maintain our operational capacity, especially when it comes to our police personnel.
Furthermore, police officers must have the right to have input in shared decision making and social influence. We are on the front line each and every day and we see the changes occurring in society more clearly than those who are making essential security-related decisions with regard to resources and budgeting. Our role in joint decision making is critical, and our voices must be heard. For this purpose, EuroCOP serves as our tribune within Europe and the EU Member States and, in particular, the EU Commission, where these decisions are being prepared and enforced.
As President, I have highlighted three key factors that must be considered now and in the future. Violence against police officers, the impact and after-effects of the war in Ukraine in terms of Europe’s internal security, and climate change and its direct and indirect impacts. Climate change is having particularly concrete repercussions in North and East Africa. We have seen how migration from these areas has increased and how people are increasingly migrating north towards Europe. The police are also on the front line in this respect. Last year, hundreds of thousands crossed the Mediterranean Sea on their journey north. During peak years, more than one million refugees by year crossed the Mediterranean. Europe cannot close its eyes to this phenomenon and leave local authorities on their own to tackle a challenge that is expected to only worsen every year as climate change accelerates. Different crises and armed conflicts also increase the likelihood of mass migration. This must be taken into consideration in the resourcing of the authorities. We are expected to act, so we must have the proper tools to do so.
Ladies and gentlemen,
the Executive Committee of EuroCOP has continued along the path you have designated in order to fulfil the task to which it has been assigned. We have focused more attention on actively ensuring our influence in those arenas in which decisions are being prepared and enforced. Our co-operative partner EuroTran has been highly effective working together with the Executive Committee and our office management. Our position as a European influencer has strengthened as a result of hard work and determination. I wish to thank our office, EX-COM and co-operative partners for ensuring that our voice rings out louder than ever before in Europe.
The European voice is needed now more than ever, and to this end, I turn to you, esteemed members of EuroCOP. At its meeting in Brussels, the EX-COM of EuroCOP drafted a presentation of our Manifesto for the upcoming EU elections and related advocacy work. The basis of the Manifesto has been built on your input and highlights the key factors of our work; factors that I would ask each of you to emphasise in the upcoming elections and national debates leading up to the elections. Now is your time, our time, to emphasise our shared priorities and ensure that they are included in national election debates and races. The voter turnout for the Parliamentary elections is expected to remain quite low and I believe that one reason for that is that the importance of the elections has not been concretized for voters in the best and most appropriate way. This is our chance to make a difference. This is our chance to concretize the changes taking place in Europe and to motivate people to vote as a means of achieving concrete goals. Our goals.
The elections will be held during the summer of twenty twenty-four and, once over, the new Parliament and Commission will begin their work. If we succeed together in our national elections, our future work on the central level of the EU will be that much more significant. It is easier for EuroCOP to concretize for decision-makers those issues that are familiar to them. It is easier to commit to shared familiar themes than to previously unknown issues with which the elected parliamentarians and Commission representatives have no common experience. This is why I turn to you, our valued representatives, and I ask you to be active with regard to the Manifesto to be confirmed by this meeting. EuroCOP is not an organisation that does things for you. It acts and achieves in collaboration with you. Together, we are EuroCOP. Let’s bring the themes of the Manifesto forth in connection with the elections and raise our collective voice for all of Europe to hear. This is the only way we can surpass where we are today to become even better and more influential tomorrow and in the future.
Another key issue under preparation is the EuroCOP Action Plan for the next four years, the groundwork of which has already been initiated by our EX-COM. The Action Plan is being built on a steadfast foundation that complies with EuroCOP’s basic values and those objectives that have been set by our organisation on the basis of its statutes and standing orders. However, the Action Plan, as with EuroCOP itself, is a reflection of the current age and focuses its energy on those key issues that our membership views as important and which we wish in particular to prioritise. At this Spring Committee Meeting, we once again hope that you will be active and get involved to enable the administration to prepare a draft of the Action Plan for the autumn meeting that prioritises that which is essential and to which we can all fully commit. It will guide the direction of the administration and the EX COM's activities for the next four years and will be closely monitored by the next EX COM.
Brothers and sisters,
I wish that I could tell you that the challenges in Europe have largely been overcome. That the war in Ukraine has ended and life in Europe stabilised. That the economy is growing at a confidently steady rate, the rapid rise in inflation has taken a turn and the high interest rates have returned to a permanently lower level. However, this is not the case, unfortunately.
The war in Ukraine continues and Russia’s hybrid strategies are having an impact throughout the Western world. My home country of Finland is preparing to combat instrumentalised migration, the likes of which were earlier seen in, for example, Poland and Lithuania. Finland shares a border with Russia that is more than one thousand three hundred kilometres long and the border has had to remain closed in order to prevent widescale instrumentalised migration from taking place.This has given rise to key and fundamental questions for our society and for Europe as a whole in terms of how international basic and human rights are being realised in modern times and when they and human distress are used to influence the activities of sovereign states and of our European Community as a whole.
Frontex is part of the solution but only a small part of it. We are facing bigger issues.
Terrorist attacks have occurred and have resulted in a heightened level of risk in different parts of Europe and have forced law enforcement throughout Europe to prepare to prevent further serious terrorist attacks. A terrorist attack on Europe is an indirect attack on us all and everyone in Europe. Police guarantee security on the front line, including in the fight against terrorism, and need adequate resources and effective and appropriate legislation for this work.
As we prepare to prevent terrorist attacks, we must also ensure the safety of those who are entrusted with the role of safeguarding others. Violence against police officers is increasing as the risk of terrorism increases and the messages that EuroCOP has received in relation to this matter are particularly worrisome. EuroCOP does not condone police brutality in any form. At the same time, I separately emphasise that we do not condone any degree of violence against police officers. As police officers, it is not our duty to tolerate violence against us. That is not the purpose of our task or profession. We go towards what others run away from in order to perform our duty; a duty for which we place our own health and even our lives on the line during each and every shift.
We are not looking for a hero’s cape or praise, we simply need adequate and appropriate tools and training. We need society’s support as we carry out the difficult task of bringing safety and security to all European citizens. We need a common voice that will be heard so that decision-makers will have enough of the right information when they are making their decisions. We need, and indeed all of Europe needs, a strong joint organisation, and that is what EuroCOP is and seeks to be, today and tomorrow. We are and we will be stronger together. Let’s make it happen once again. Thank you.
The war in Ukraine continues and Russia’s hybrid strategies are having an impact throughout the Western world. My home country of Finland is preparing to combat instrumentalised migration, the likes of which were earlier seen in, for example, Poland and Lithuania. Finland shares a border with Russia that is more than one thousand three hundred kilometres long and the border has had to remain closed in order to prevent widescale instrumentalised migration from taking place.This has given rise to key and fundamental questions for our society and for Europe as a whole in terms of how international basic and human rights are being realised in modern times and when they and human distress are used to influence the activities of sovereign states and of our European Community as a whole.
Frontex is part of the solution but only a small part of it. We are facing bigger issues.
Terrorist attacks have occurred and have resulted in a heightened level of risk in different parts of Europe and have forced law enforcement throughout Europe to prepare to prevent further serious terrorist attacks. A terrorist attack on Europe is an indirect attack on us all and everyone in Europe. Police guarantee security on the front line, including in the fight against terrorism, and need adequate resources and effective and appropriate legislation for this work.
As we prepare to prevent terrorist attacks, we must also ensure the safety of those who are entrusted with the role of safeguarding others. Violence against police officers is increasing as the risk of terrorism increases and the messages that EuroCOP has received in relation to this matter are particularly worrisome. EuroCOP does not condone police brutality in any form. At the same time, I separately emphasise that we do not condone any degree of violence against police officers. As police officers, it is not our duty to tolerate violence against us. That is not the purpose of our task or profession. We go towards what others run away from in order to perform our duty; a duty for which we place our own health and even our lives on the line during each and every shift.
We are not looking for a hero’s cape or praise, we simply need adequate and appropriate tools and training. We need society’s support as we carry out the difficult task of bringing safety and security to all European citizens. We need a common voice that will be heard so that decision-makers will have enough of the right information when they are making their decisions. We need, and indeed all of Europe needs, a strong joint organisation, and that is what EuroCOP is and seeks to be, today and tomorrow. We are and we will be stronger together. Let’s make it happen once again. Thank you.
Interventions were made during the meeting by
Dr Byron CamilleriMinister for Home Affairs , Security and Employment, Government of Malta
Mr Angelo Gafa – Police Commissioner Malta
Mrs Tanja Rakusic Hadzic – Council of Europe Head of Criminal Law, Cooperation Unit Directorate General of Human Rights and the Rule of Law
Police Firearms Officers Association – Mr Mark Williams
PFOA Training Services. – Mr M Williams Mr I Bradshaw
EuroCOP Spring Committee Meeting April 2024
Treasurers Report
Good morning Conference,
It is fantastic to be here in beautiful Malta and present my report to you all.
It is pleasing to inform you that all member organisations have declared their membership numbers and more importantly, paid their subscriptions to EuroCOP. Thank you for your prompt payments, it really is appreciated and makes my job so much easier, and of course, allows us to function on a day-to-day basis.
I will refer you to Appendix 1, which is the EuroCOP Membership Numbers and Income for 2024. A couple of comparisons for you, the total number of members for this year is xxxx which is down from xxxx members for 2023, a decrease of xxxx
There may be several reasons for this decrease, retention of officers across all police forces is a significant problem, especially in the UK and I would imagine across the European landscape.Poor salaries would obviously explain at big part of this. The more cynical half of me, may suggest that now the subscriptions have gone up, inevitably membership has gone down. No, I will stick with the retention theory.
Better news in Appendix 1 is the comparison in income, 255,993.01 Euros this year compared to 201,398.13 Euros for 2023. That is an increase of 54,594.88 Euros. This really is a sight to behold (well it is for a Treasurer) and hopefully will be the turning point in EuroCOP’S finances. The increase of the subs to 1.59 Euros per member has paid off.
But , we cannot stop there. We must continue to evolve the finances and secure the future of EuroCOP. I have formally recommended to the ExCom that we should adopt a new financial order whereby there is an annual increase in subscriptions in line with European Inflation on 01st October of every year. Most years, this would mean a small percentage increase but conversely could also mean no increase, but at least a permanent process would be in place, which everyone will be aware of and eventually, used to.
The ExCom and I have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of EuroCop and its assets. This means, that by law, we must act.
We are all aware of the rising costs of everything in our personal lives and this is exacerbated for this organisation, especially when it comes to hosting committee meetings twice yearly and other associated costs. For example, hosting this event has come with additional costs for Audio Visual which were in the region of 8,000 Euros.
An unexpected extra that was out of our control but a necessity to ensure the success of this committee meeting.
If this is to continue, we must do something now, so when the time comes, I recommend that you support this annual subscription increase.
Whilst we are on the topic of additional costs, we must seriously think about the necessity of holding two committee meetings a year. Moving forward we need to reflect and consider that holding our meetings around Europe twice a year, is expensive, costs are spiralling upwards, and I believe that it is more important to maintain the standards we have put in place in the last 4 years and concentrate on one, ensuring those standards are met. This would only be for the immediate future and once our finances are bolstered by the proposed annual subscription increase, this can be reviewed.
Moving on to our investments. Some great news here, finally the invested funds are starting to work for us. If we look at Appendix 2, we can see that at the time of writing this report, our invested funds stand at 141,239 Euros. This is an increase of 17,837.32 Euros, since the last committee meeting, as Appendix 3 demonstrates. I have spoken with Adam Griffin, our Investment Manager, and he has provided me with a few words.
The past few months has seen some very significant changes to the economic landscape most of which being favourably received by capital markets and particularly the Western world.
After two very bumpy years the corner was turned at the end of October 2023. Inflation ,which had been responsible for the fastest set of interest rate rises seen for many years started to fall, almost as quickly as it had risen, this was mainly down to oil and food commodity prices correcting significantly notwithstanding the conflict in the Middle east and the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.
This resulted in a much clearer and more encouraging outlook for interest rates and when they might begin to fall, and the F.E.D(Federal Reserve) and other central banks began to change their tone and lay the groundwork for interest rate cuts this year.
As things stand ,June may see cuts by the F.E.D and the Bank of England possibly by May and this has helped the stock markets recover strongly. The E.C.B (European Central Bank) is being cautious but a cut in June is also anticipated from them A third helpful dimension is that, although China continues to struggle some, policy intervention should help to stabilise markets there, and Japan, the world’s third largest economy , has finally achieved positive inflation and the stock market there has reached and passed it’s all time high last reached over thirty-five years ago.
All in all we have seen a sharp turnaround in sentiment and expectations with many of the more bearish or pessimisticcommentators now seeing a good outlook for stock markets for at least the next couple of years as the new economic cycle takes hold. So positive news and another reason why it was so vital to invest some of our funds. But, if possible, I would like to go further and invest more funds. This will only be possible if we are realistic and accept my proposed annual subscription increase.
So, where do we stand at this present time. At the time of writing this report, we have a surplus of xxxx Euros and I am certainly more optimistic about our finances, than I was this time last year. The goal now is to build on this and ensure that there is never anything but optimism and positivity around our financial position.
Thank you.
Election of Mr Jonne Rinne as President
Esteemed EuroCOP Spring Committee Meeting.
I stand humbled before you, but not with a humble mind. I have served our community as President since twenty twenty-two and have been nominated for the next term from twenty twenty-four to twenty twenty-six. I wish to thank you for the confidence you have placed in me and to show you every single day that I am worthy of that confidence. It is only through hard work and collaboration that EuroCOP lives, grows and evolves. This is the stance I committed to in the past, and to which I am still committed today and will continue to be in the future. I am most humbly grateful for your trust.
However, this work is most certainly not carried out alone. I wish to show special appreciation for the EX COM members, both long-standing members and those who have recently joined our ranks. Co-operating as a whole has made us stronger collectively than we could ever be on our own. The contributions and professional competence of you all help to guarantee that we fulfil our task every day of the year. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Vice President Unn-Alma Skatvold. You have been an indispensable partner to me in my work as President. My sincerest thanks for that.
I also express gratitude to our co-operative partners, Starks Event and EuroTran. Without your commitment to our common goals, none of this would have been possible. Through your work and diligence, you have contributed to a better future for European police officers. I am extremely grateful for your work input and I hope that our co-operation will continue to be as fruitful as it has been to this point. Your work has great significance and is highly valued by myself and the entire EuroCOP community.
I would also like to especially thank all representatives of the European police unions. You have shown that you are worthy of the trust placed in you by your own members and us as a whole when carrying out your valuable work all over Europe. Challenging times call for extraordinary people and you have proven that you can count yourselves among that group. Your faith in our shared endeavours has ensured that EuroCOP is stronger and more influential now and in the future.
In challenging times, you need a stable base and EuroCOP is, indeed, on a solid footing. Let us take heart in this and, together, build a stronger and more dynamic EuroCOP and a better future for the police forces we represent.
And last, but definitely not least, in front of this esteemed group, I wish to thank Mr. Nigel Dennis. Your dedication and commitment to the activities of EuroCOP continue to amaze me each day I have the privilege of working alongside you. You live and breathe European law enforcement and, without any thought for yourself, you go above and beyond what we might expect from you.
You have proven to be a loyal employee whose expertise and competence are genuinely appreciated. Underneath the sophisticated behaviour and impeccable appearance of a gentleman beats the heart of a solid field officer. A heart that endeavours to perform its task every day in pursuit of shared objectives. I have not thanked you nearly enough. But I do it here and now. Thank you, Nigel, for your work and invaluable input. It is appreciated by us all. Let us continue this valued cooperation now and in the future.
Honourable EuroCOP Spring Committee Meeting, our task remains incomplete. In this time of crises, look to the future with confidence and carry out our mission as the advocate for police officers throughout Europe. If our task were easy, someone else would have done it already ages ago. Do not become discouraged, but believe in yourself and each other. The future calls for action and we are the right people for the task.
I thank you for your confidence and I hope to continue proving I’m worthy of that confidence now and in the future.
Thank you.
Colleagues,
I would like commence my address to you all by thanking the Malta Police Union in extending an invitation to hold our Spring Committee meeting here in their country and their hospitality and generosity has been warmly and greatly received by our organisation. I trust by our attendance in Malta has had a positive impact on thework you do and also of yourfriends and colleagues in thePolice Officers Union here in Malta.
If like myself you measure the success of representative organisations like ours,not by the eloquent words we maygenerate from this platform or elsewhere , but from the successful outcomes on the actions you as Member Organisations ( MO ) have directed the Excom through to myself to carry out in the name of EuroCOP, and in ensuring that those mandated policy directionsare delivered upon , along with managing its limited resources effectively and efficiently.
So with this in mind allow me to update you on the successful results we have achieved since we last met, that you as M.O directed us to undertake.
We have identified and secured a co working office space close to the European Parliament within our finitefinancial resources, which has already allowed the Excom to have face to face meetings at our office with representatives of EU Belgium Presidency and with senior representatives of The Department for Migration and Home Affairs. Not an insignificant milestone as this has been a goal for this organisation for some time. Now its incumbent on us all to build on these opportunities , building relationships with the European institutions is a vital element of how we make ourselves relevant within the European Bodies in Brussels
One of the outcomes of this meeting has been an invite to present to the Council of the EU – Law Enforcement Working Party ( Police )
The presentation will include the following;
Short presentation of EuroCOP position paper on violence against police officers; An example of best practice
Initial proposal of the EU wide database and its functionalities:
Intelligence gathering: Collection of data on violence against police; examples of best practice;
Collection of data: Establish compatible national systems to collect data on violence against police officers;
Repository of data: ask Member States to share data with Eurostat in order to establish a repository of comparable data at EU level;
Maintenance of data: keep data safe and up to date; request Member States to exchange data on a yearly basis;
Data analysis: To request Eurostat to aggregate data and analyse it in order to understand roots of the problem, identify trends and the most common forms of violence;
Awareness raising: organise an EU awareness raising campaign.
We have also since we last met in Spain we haveincreased our lines of engagement and visibility with EU parliamentarians from across the political landscape along with senior EU civil servants, developing connections, whilst creating an atmosphere and understanding of our goals with them and the pathways we are promoting in order to make progress on our goals, which were set by you the Member Organisation’s. We listen and learn with each and everyopportunity. These relationships take time to evolve and gain trust and understanding.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Dan Wolf and Margereta Przybyla of Eurotran who have over the past year managed the brief we engaged them on, and achieved on those key performance indicators we set at the beginning of our business relationship we have with them.
With the limited financial resources we currently have at our disposal I ensure that they areused efficiently and effectively . Navigating the corridors of the legislative process in Brussels and Strasbourg can be technically complicated and time consuming, and this is why with our type of organisation we require our colleagues from Eurotran who are an essential part of our team , to assist and advice us, as lobbying is increasingly seen at a European level as part of the political decision making process and thus part of the legislative process.
One of the directions you provided to the Excom following the unlawful invasion of Ukraine by Russia, was to look at ways we as an organisation can establish links to Police Trade Unions in Ukraine. You will recall we received a presentation from COPs for Ukraine in Belfast which was very well received from the feedback I received. Moving forward a year we are collaborating with the ETUC and ETUF in contributing financially to a Trade Union summit for Ukraine in Lublin Poland on the 23rd April in which Trade Unions from Ukraine are the attending, discussions will focus on but are not limited to restoring the Trade Union role in Ukraine through social dialogue.
I shall be representing EuroCOP at this event.
The European Trade Union Movement through all its affiliates have donated large sums of money to ensure where possible the work of the unions can continue in Ukraine albeit in an environment that the Putin regime are attempting through illegal means to destroy.
There is not an M.O in this room whose country is not affiliated in some way to the Council of Europe. It’s important we invest some of our resources topromote and advance our agreed goals in this influential European institution , and lets be clear we have not optimised, or explored how this institution in recent years can possibly assist us in some of the challenges you all face as Police representative organisation’s in defending your Organisations rights and that of your members.
EuroCOP have participatory status as Non Governmental Organisation. As you will be aware the CoE was established to promote Democracy, Human Rights and the Rule of law. So when the question arises which I am acutely aware occurs from your local Shop stewards/Representatives who are nodoubt the back bone of any Trade Union/ Staff Association as to why you are members of this organisation when your country is not a member of the EU , the answer may I be bold enough to suggest is to respond as follows; but our country is a member of the Council of Europe and they are signatories in upholding democracy the rule of law and human rights which impacts on our membership.
As I have previously advised you at the Excom’s direction, I am EuroCOP’s representative on the ETUC Executive and represent EuroCOP at the General Secretary’s meeting of the European Trade Union Federation ( ETUF’s )
The ETUF’s are part of the structure of the ETUC with the responsibility for European Social Dialogue at a sectorial level The 35 different sectorial committees discuss specific issues relating to industries they cover and can agree a wide rang of initiatives.
There are times when we can come together in the sprit of collective solidarity to address issues that impact on all of us. An example of a recent success came about when the President of the European Parliament agreed to our collective request to the withdrawal of Amazon Lobbyists access to the European Parliament as this company repeated refusal to attend Parliamentary hearings on working conditions in their Warehouses.
We undertake due diligence on all requests to come together as a collective and co sign letters to the EU Commission and Parliament in a sprit of solidarity, however on matters that are of a sectorial technical nature we opt to abstain. As I am sure you will appreciate there is a lot of cross sectorial challenges that exist for a lot of the ETUF’s but representing Police interests sets us apart from the majority, so we are extremely careful and undertake due diligence on every request.
EuroCOP the organisation directly employs myself and the work I undertake in between meetings has to be targeted and focussed, as we as an organisation simply do not have the capacity or the financial freedom to spread our wings as much as other European Trade Union bodies are able to do given the size of their memberships and the volume of highly talented professionals they directly employ whose skill set is one to admire in how they hold those in power and influence to account.
My mantra in all of my dealings and interactions with likeminded organisations and the institutions of Europe and with all to whom I come into contact with isthat we at “EuroCOP” are integrity driven, and solution focussed, and whilst I have the ambition, determination and energy to promote the rationale and purpose of our organisation it requires the active engagement of all M.O to maintain our professional visibility to those institutions we wish to influence in their decision making processes.
As your representative it’s important to myself that when EuroCOP puts its name and reputation behind an issue weproceed with the values and cultural responsibility we share of being professional, responsible and an accountable organisation that above all is membership led organisation.
I would like to remind colleagues that later this year at our Congress meeting in Novemberwe have elections for the position of Treasurer , along with positions on the Excom and also for the post of Internal Auditor.
For the positions on the Excom this will be the first time since the statues were amended in November 2020 of how the the election process will be run and I would urge all interested parties to take note of how that process will now be run and this can be found in EuroCOP Statutes - Article 5
The integrity of the process is essential and I would urge all Member Organisations who are seeking to nominate a candidate to approach myself in order they have a clear understanding of the requirements of the process. The closing date for nominations to reach my office is by 17:00hrs on Friday 9th August 2024.
I trust you all have noticed the increase in our visibility on our social media platforms. This has been achieved by Stark Events who are able to turn the content we provide them into visually friendly versions which focus on the key points and bring the work we undertake in the name of EuroCOP making it user friendly. The data that we we collate on how our footprint on these platforms is progressing provides us clear evidence that in all the formats we engage in; X, instagram , Facebook, Linkedin and not forgetting our Website clearly shows we are on an upward trend.
It would be totally remiss of myself if failed to thank the work of Ann Stark and Bethan Mann in placing on record my personal thanks and that of EuroCOP in their work as Events Organisers in working with myself in bringing our meetings around Europe together. Their professionalism and advice in their field of expertise is one to which I am extremely grateful for.
Finally our team of interpreters Vicky Perez and Alejandra Mantecón del Olmo, who have been working for EuroCOP for many years and are essential members of our group along with Stark Events and Eurotran in what I would describe as Team EuroCOP. All of these colleagues contributions play an essential part in making EuroCOP the organisation we have today.
I am happy to take questions from the floor - Thank you.
Dan Wolf of Eurotran supported by Nigel Dennis provided M.O an overview of the proposed EuroCOP manifesto in front of the European Parliamentary Elections being held in June 2024 which had been constructed following discussions with all MO over a 12 month period
A vote was taken to as follows ; Do MO agree with the proposed EuroCOP’s Manifesto for the European Parliamentary 2024 elections as presented?
This proposal was unanimously approved by all delegates from MO present.
Nigel Dennis Head of Office
European Confederation of Police
6th & 7th November
Torremolinos, Spain
9th
12. Suspension ; Termination of Membership ,& Interpretation of EuroCOP Statutes
13. Complaints & Conduct
14 Language 15 Dissolution of EuroCOP
Article 1 The European Confederation of Police
1 1 The European Confederation of Police hereinafter referred to as EuroCOP is a Federation of Police Unions and Professional Police Staff Side Associations or Federations in Europe.
1 2 The Secretariat of EuroCOP shall be at a location determined by its members
1.3 EuroCOP is independent from governments, political parties and philosophical, theosophical or religious communities or organisations
Article 2 Aims and Objectives;
2.1 The aims and objectives of EuroCOP shall be to:
1) safeguard, protect and improve the rights and interests of police officers in Europe
2) develop co-operation and harmonious relations between its members
3) co-operate with like minded organisations
4) pursue improvement in the status, training and qualifications of police officers
5) pursue improvements in policing standards
6) ensure police officers enjoy the same civil rights as are enjoyed by other citizens
7) secure the participation and influence of EuroCOP members in the administration, development and planning of policing initiatives
3.1 Application for Membership of EuroCOP shall be open to any police representative organisation in Europe interested in furthering the aims and objectives of EuroCOP.
3.2 An application for admission as a member shall require a recommendation from the Executive Committee and approval of 2/3 of the available votes at an ordinary committee meeting of the members
3 3 Membership shall be limited to Full Member, Observer Member & Associate Member
3 4 In order to become a full member an organisation has to fulfil the following conditions:
The organisation is a national or other recognised representative organisation for police officers. 1
The organisation is legally constituted in its own country as one which represents, and negotiates on behalf of its members in respect of their pay, conditions of service and welfare.
2. The internal structures and composition of the organisation’s bodies as well as decisionmaking procedures are transparent and governed by democratic rules
3. The organisation is financially sound and financed by regular subscriptions from its members 4
3 5 An organisation that is a national representative organisation of police officers that is restricted, due to national legislation, and not able to fully comply with the conditions of membership can apply to become an Associate member
3.5.1 Associate membership shall be at the absolute discretion of EuroCOP.
3.5.2 Associate members must shall comply with any conditions of membership as shall be determined by the Executive Committee.
3 6 An organisation that meets the conditions of membership and is in the process of considering application as a full member can apply to become an Observer member of EuroCOP
3 6 1 Observer membership shall be at the absolute discretion of EuroCOP
3.6.2 Observer membership shall be for a maximum of three years after which the Observer member must seek full membership status or shall cease to be an Observer member.
3.6.3 Observer members shall pay such a membership fee as may be determined by the Executive Committee in accordance with any direction from Congress.
1
3 7 Full member may, with the agreement of 2/3 of the available votes at an ordinary committee meeting of members, cease to be a full member, and shall instead become an Observer member
3.7.1 WhereanObservermemberisacceptedundertheprovisionsofrule3.7,that membermayretainObservermembershipfornomorethan12months,andshall duringtheperiodofmembershipberequiredtopaynotlessthan50%ofthefull membershipfee
372 Attheexpiryof12monthsanobservermemberacceptedundertheprovisionsofrule 3.7musteitherseekfullmembershipofEuroCOP,orresign
4.2 Congressshalltakesplaceatafrequencynotexceedingfouryears,andondatesandat locationsasshallbedecidedbytheExecutiveCommittee.
421 TheExecutiveCommitteeshallpaydueregardtotheviewsofthememberspriorto determiningthedateandlocationofanyCongress
4.3 Congressshalllastnotlessthantwo,andnotmorethanthreedays.
44 Congressshallberesponsiblefor;
1) AgreeingthestrategicobjectivesforEuroCOP
2) TheapprovalandamendingoftheEuroCOPrulesandstandingorders.
3) Thesettingofanycriteriaformembership.
4) ThesettingofanycriteriaforfeesforAssociateandObserverMembers
4.5 Thenumberofdelegatesandvotesaffordedtoeachfullmemberorganisationatcongress shallbeasfollows:
4 6
Delegates are expressly prohibited from splitting their vote(s) and, unless abstaining on the matter in hand, must cast their vote in its entirety either in support or in opposition of the proposal before the Committee Member organisations can bring up to the maximum number delegates described in 4 5
An extraordinary Congress can be convened to deal with matters of such importance that cannot await an ordinary Congress.
An extraordinary Congress may be convened where the Executive Committee, or 50% of the member organisations request such, and where the ordinary committee meeting of the members decides by a 2/3 majority of votes to convene an extraordinary Congress
Delegates to an extraordinary Congress shall be the same delegates as for an ordinary committee meeting, but delegates shall be entitled to cast the number of votes for their organisation at an ordinary Congress
An extraordinary Congress shall only deal with the matter(s) that necessitated that Congress.
An extraordinary Congress shall last not more than one day.
5 1 The Executive Committee shall, subject to any direction or restriction laid down by Congress, be responsible for the day to day running and governance of EuroCOP
5 2 The Executive Committee is the executive authority of EuroCOP
5 3 The Executive Committee will comprise
1) No more than three members from the Northern Region
2) No more than one member from the Nordic and Baltic Region
3) No more than two members from the Southern Region
4) No more than one member from the Central Region
5) No more than one member from the Eastern Region
6) The President of EuroCOP
And shall at no time comprise fewer than five members.
5.2.1 The Nordic and Baltic region includes Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
5 2 2 The Northern Region includes the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Monaco, Andorra, and Poland
5 2 3 The Central Region includes Switzerland, Lichtenstein, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia
5.2.4 The Southern Region includes Portugal, Gibraltar, Spain, Italy, San Marino, Malta, Greece, Cyprus, and Albania.
5 2 5 The Eastern Region includes Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Kosovo* (*UNSCR 1244/1999)
5 3 With the sole exception of the member organisation from which the President is elected, no member organisation may hold more than two positions on the Executive Committee
5 4 The Members in each region shall only be able to vote for the Executive Committee member(s) in their region.
5.4.1 A Member Organisation with more than 60,001 members shall be entitled to appoint one memberto the Executive Committee , in addition to the number required by statute 5.3
5.5 A candidate seeking election to the Executive Committee shall intimate in writing his or her intention to stand for election to the Head of Office and shall give not less than 90 days’ notice (save that on any occasion the timescales may be modified with the unanimous agreement of an ordinary committee meeting of the members) For the purposes of this Rule ‘in writing’ shall include by facsimile or electronic
5 5 1 A candidate must have a nominator and seconder from their electoral region
5.6 The President shall appoint a Vice President from the elected members of the Excom
5.7 The President, Vice President, Head of Office , and Treasurer shall be the Principal Officers of EuroCOP.
5 8 The full Executive Committee will meet not less than twice a year with the Principal Officers meeting not less than four times a year At least one meeting should where possible shall be in person
6.1 The Executive Committee shall be responsible for securing the employment and appointment of a Head of Office to manage in collaboration with the Executive Committee the day to day running of EuroCOP.
6.2 The Executive Committee shall pay due regard to the views of the members prior to the appointment of a Head of Office.
6 3 The Head of Office may be drawn from amongst the membership of EuroCOP
6 4 The Head of Office shall be an additional ex-officio member of the Executive Committee
6 5 The Head of Office shall act in accordance with any direction and the responsibilities vested in him/her by Congress in coordinating the content of the business and processes of the organisation, and will be the principal contact with the ETUC & ETUF.
6.2.1
The Treasurer will be elected by the Member Organisation’s with a term of office of 4 years
The Treasurerwill be regarded as a Principle officer of EuroCOP
The Treasurer will act in accordancewith the EuroCOP Financial orders and will manage the finances of EuroCOP, The Treasurer shall keep the Excom and Membership updated on the fiscal landscape of the organisation.
Member Organisations shall elect an internal Auditor from amongst its membership at Congress for a period of 4 years
The Auditor will undertake an annual audit on the organisations compliance of its function and its financial management
The Auditor shall provide a report on the organisation function and its Financial Managerment to the Excom prior to the Autumn Committee meeting and to Congress which then be presented to Member Organisations by the Auditor
Article 7. President EuroCOP
7 1 The President of EuroCOP will be elected by the members
7 2 A candidate seeking election as President shall intimate in writing his or her intention to stand for election to the Head of Office and shall give not less than 45 days’ notice (save that on any occasion the timescales may be modified with the unanimous agreement of an Ordinary Committee meeting) For the purposes of this Statute ‘in writing’ shall include by electronic mail.
7.2.1 A candidate for President must 1) be supported in their candidature by their member organisation, and 2) have a nominator and seconder from a member organisation, other than their own, and 3) come from a member organisation that is a full member
7 3 In the event more than one candidate is proposed an election shall be by secret ballot
7 3 1
Other than in an election that may require to be conducted under the provisions of statute 6 3 8 the voters will be supplied with a ballot paper and instructions on how to vote
7 3 2 A vote may be cast by marking an “X” against a candidate’s name OR by writing the candidates name.
7.3.3 If the voter uses any mark other than “X” or writes the name of more than one candidate the vote shall be deemed void.
7 3 4 The number of eligible voters and votes will be determined in accordance with the usual procedures of the meeting at which the election is to take place
7 3 5
Where there are more than two candidates, the candidate with the fewest number of votes shall drop out and further rounds of voting will take place until two candidates remain. The candidate with the most votes shall be declared the winner.
7.3.6 In the event of an equality of votes at any stage in the election the candidates will draw lots in a manner determined prior to the commencement of the election.
73 7 In the event of any candidate in any round of an election receiving the majority of the votes available, the election will end and that candidate will be declared the winner
7 3 8 In the event it is not possible for an election to take place at a physical meeting of EuroCOP, the Executive Committee shall be responsible for putting in place an alternative form of voting that is capable of delivering a fair election
7.4 The Presidential term of office shall not exceed two years.
7.4.1
Other than with the unanimous agreement of EuroCOP, no President may serve for more than 2 consecutive terms of office.
7 5 The first election under these statutes shall take place in November 2020 Subsequent elections will take place at the meeting prior to the expiry of the President’s term of office, or in the event of retirement or resignation of the President, at the first available opportunity
Article 8 Ordinary Committee Meetings
8 1 There shall be not less than two ordinary meeting of the EuroCOP Committee each year
8.2 The Executive Committee shall determine the date and location for each ordinary meeting of the EuroCOP Committee.
8.3 Each ordinary meeting of the EuroCOP Committee shall last not less than one day, and not more than two days.
8 4 Delegates to Ordinary Committee meetings shall be responsible for;
1) The approval of the annual membership fee
2) The approval of the annual budget
3) The approval of the annual accounts
4) Decisions on the acquisition or disposal of assets
5) The appointment of members to any subcommittee established in accordance with rule 9 1
6) Approve the terms of reference for such subcommittees
7) The approval or disapproval of any application for full, observer, or associate member
8) The suspension, and conditions of suspension of any member.
9) The expulsion of any member
8 4 The number of delegates and votes afforded to each full member organisation shall be as follows;
8
8 5 Subject to the provisions of rule 8 4 2, delegates are expressly prohibited from splitting their vote(s) and, unless abstaining on the matter in hand, must cast their vote in its entirety either in support or in opposition of the proposal before the Committee.
9.1 The Executive Committee may establish any subcommittee for any purpose and duration, and size as appears to be appropriate for the good and efficient running of EuroCOP.
9 2 Participation in any subcommittee meeting may be video or audio conference
9 3 If not appointed by the Executive Committee, a subcommittee must appoint from amongst its members a secretary and a chair whose responsibility will be to report its function to M O
9.4 A minute of any meeting of a subcommittee must be prepared and made available to the Executive Committee and for the information of the members.
10.1 EuroCOP may raise, establish and maintain funds:
1) By means of subscriptions from member organisations
2) By borrowing money from members or any other person or persons or body corporate, etc., on such security and upon such terms as may from time to time be arranged by interest earned on capital and by commissions.
3) By acceptance of donations or gifts whether directly or by bequest providing the acceptance of such donations or gift shall not or shall not appear to affect or interfere with the impartial status of EuroCOP.
4) By the sale of periodicals, articles or publications and such other matters or items which can be considered incidental to and compatible with the objects and purposes of EuroCOP.
5) By any other legitimate means as may be approved by Congress
6) There will be a minimum and maximum subscription feefor membership to EuroCOP.
7) A Minimum full Subscription fee shall be set at 2000 euros ( Two Thousand Euros) and a Maximum Subscriptionfull membership fee, shall be set at 60,000 Euros( Sixty Thousand Euros ) for any organisation with a membership that exceeds 60,001.
10.2.1 The member subscription shall be determined by the voting members at an ordinary meeting of EuroCOP, following an annual recommendation from the Executive Committee
11.1 Congress shall prepare and adopt policies and rules regarding collection and expenditure of EuroCOP funds and assets
Without prejudice the generality of the foregoing, EuroCOP funds may be put to the uses set out in the following paragraphs of this article.
1) On all matters as may be incidental or conducive to the objective of effectively managing the daily business of EuroCOP
2) On the costs of the meetings of Congress.
3) On the costs of the meetings and activities of the Executive Committee and Principal Officers.
4) On the maintenance of office premises including but not limited to the provision of furnishings and equipment, the payment of due taxes, the retention and payment of persons employed by EuroCOP in a professional or advisory capacity, and generally in any matter which Congress as the ruling body shall deem necessary to enable EuroCOP to carry out its functions effectively
5) TogranthonorariatomembersoftheExecutiveCommittee.
6) Onthemakingofanygiftordonationtoanybody,onlywheredoingsofurthersthegood nameandreputationofEuroCOP
th
7) TopayanyexpensesasmaybeapprovedinadvancebytheExecutiveCommitteeto membersdischargingdutiesonbehalfofEuroCOP.
113
11.3.1
EuroCOPfundsmaynotbeusedtoreimburseanyexpenseincurredbymembers travellingtoorfromaCongress, ordinarycommitteemeeting,oranextraordinarymeeting ofCongress.
EuroCOPfundsmaynotbeusedtoreimburseanyexpenseincurredbyanobserveror associatemember
Article12Suspension;TerminationofMembership,&InterpretationofEuroCOPStatutes
121 Anorganisationmayresigntheirmembershipinwriting,providednotlessthanthree months’noticeoftheintentiontoresignhasbeenprovidedtotheExecutiveCommittee
12.1.1
AmemberorganisationcanbesuspendedontherecommendationoftheExecutive Committeetothenextordinarycommitteemeetingofthememberswhere;
1) Amemberorganisationfailstopayitsmembershipfeeswithoutgoodreasonor,
2) AfteranorganisationbreachestherulesoftheEuroCOP
ThesestatuesmaybeamendedorreplacedbyCongressonlybyatwothirdsmajority. Theserulesmaybeamendedorreplacedatoneordinarycommitteemeetingofthe membersbya3/4majority,providedmorethantwoyearshaspassedsinceCongress, andwherethenextmeetingofCongressismorethantwoyearsaway
WherethereisambiguityoftheEuroCOPStatues,theExecutiveCommitteeinthefirst instancewillseektounderstandtheproblemthattheseStatuteshavesoughttoaddress
ItwillseekacompriseontheinterpretationthatwillbeacceptabletoMember Organisation’sbyvirtueofavoteontheissuewhereatwo-thirdmajoritywillberequired onachangeofinterpretationofaspecificEuroCOPStatute.
EuroCOPshallestablishandmaintainproceduresfortheinvestigationofcomplaintsorallegationsof misconductonthepartofaMemberOrganisationoranindividualactingonbehalfofEuroCOP AfromEuroCOPtomemberorganisationsaswellasdocumentationformeetingsofthebodiesof EuroCOPwillbedisseminatedinEnglish.
Article14Language
141 Correspondence
th
AllcorrespondencewithEuroCOPshallbeinEnglish,unlesstheExCOMagreesotherwise
14.2 WorkingLanguage
AllwritteninformationfromEuroCOPtomemberorganisationsaswellasdocumentationfor meetingsofthebodiesofEuroCOPwillbedisseminatedinEnglish
Article15DissolutionofEuroCOP
BywayofwrittenmotionprovidedtotheHeadofOffice45dayspriortoaCongress byaMember OrganisationwhichissecondedbyanotherMemberOrganisation thatisnotwithinthesameregionof theoriginatoroftheproposal thedissolutionoftheConfederationmaybedecidedbyCongresswitha two-thirdmajority
Inthecaseofdissolution,theConfederation’sassetswillbedividedamongthememberorganisations inaccordancewiththeirmembershipnumbers,aftersettlementallobligationstowardsthe Confederation’sstaffandalldebtsandliabilitiestowardsthirdparties
EuroCOP is the umbrella organisation for police unions and staff organisations in Europe. We represent 30 police unions and staff organisationsacrossEuropeaswellasover230,000policeofficersin25 European countries. EuroCOP is tackling issues from police cooperation across borders to a safer working environment for police officers on the street. We are determined to contribute to European policy debates and provideaddedvaluebygivingapractitioners’perspective.
SinceEuroCOP’screationin2002wehavebeenfightingtopromotefour keygoals:
ASocialEuropeforPolice
InternalSecurityinEurope
SafetyforthePolice
SolidarityandNetworkbuilding
ByworkingtowardstherealisationofthesegoalsEuroCOPissupporting European police forces to keep our society safe and secure. We want Europetobetheplace,wherepoliceofficersareoperatingtogetherinan environment of equality, safety and support, provided with the rights, resources,andtrainingtokeepEurope’scitizenssafeandsecure
With this 2024 European Parliament Elections Manifesto we call on all European democratic parties and candidates as well as newly elected MEPsandCommissionerstoendorseourvaluesandprioritiesinorderto buildafairandsecureEuropeanUnionthrough3commitments.
COMBATVIOLENCEAGAINSTTHEPOLICE
GUARANTEEFAIRWORKINGCONDITIONSANDSOCIALRIGHTSFOR POLICEOFFICERS
FACILITATECOOPERATIONANDINFORMATIONEXCHANGEBETWEEN POLICEFORCESINEUROPE
In Europe we are experiencing an increasing epidemic of violence against police officers. This violence can include verbal abuse and hate crimes, sexual assaults and most commonly physical violence against police officers and police staff. Social media create their own specific challenges and the future will bring even more hybrid threats. This deteriorating situation has been routinely ignored for many years It is high time to take actions at EU level
EuroCOP is calling on policy makers to:
Establish a central repository of data in the EU regarding incidences of violence against police officers, potentially via Eurostat. Collection of data at EU level would help understand the roots of the problem, exchange best practices between Members States and adapt safety awareness training programs for police officers
Encourage Member States to equip their national legal systems with proportionate and stronger punishments that should actually act as preventative measures.
Facilitate identification and dissemination of best practices for aftercare for both physical and mental trauma suffered by police officers. Call on MSs to include fully reimbursing psycho-traumatic treatment costs through social security
Secure healing and reparation which also include the proposals to make sure that physical violence against the police leading to severe injuries or death are not time barred from prosecution.
Improve health and safety conditions at work for police officers. European initiatives to achieve zero deaths at work are needed in order to minimize violence against the police.
Organize yearly European Day on the Protection of Protectors to raise awareness on the missions of policemen and firefighters and their critical role in society.
Incentivise institutions such as schools to play a crucial role in educating the youth against violence in general and particularly the one targeted at the police
Only fair and adequate working conditions will help address challenges with regards to the recruitment and retention of police officers in EU Member States.
EuroCOP is calling on policy makers to:
Ensure that Europe’s policemen and women are provided with the appropriate support, training and resources needed to carry out their duties Member States shall guarantee adequate funding to police forces so that they can perform their duty as well as transparent and targeted spending of EU funds so that financial resources help address real issues on the ground.
Guarantee to police officers adequate wages, so that they can also be an effective tool in the fight against corruption In line with ETUC Manifesto (the European Trade Union Confederation), we call for the introduction of a European framework to promote upward convergence on wages, and stronger action at EU level to eliminate the gender pay gap.
Propose adequate working time provisions for police officers, including increase of workers’ control over working time, reduction of workload and overtime This can be achieved via potential revision of the Working Time Directive as well as correct enforcement of this Directive by Member States.
Defend and strengthen collective bargaining, as well as trade unions’ and workers’ rights (right to organize, union access to workplaces and the right to strike).
Recognize the role of mental health and addressing mental health disorders and post trauma effects as a priority in case of police officers Encourage exchange of best practice and streamline European funding.
EuroCOP sees urgent need in enhancing common trust between Members States and their authorities It is essential that the specific border management responsibilities and the related challenges of certain Member States are taken into account. While recognising the fundamental differences that exist among police forces in Europe, as well as the sovereign right of EU Member States to govern law enforcement within their territories, it is of utmost importance that any obstacles that hamper enhanced police cooperation in the EU are removed.
EuroCOP is calling on policy makers to:
Further enhance cross-border police cooperation, for instance by granting a more prominent role for the law enforcement cooperation agency Europol, criminal justice cooperation agency Eurojust and the EU border agency Frontex.
Address human trafficking with additional means to fight such international crimes (European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling / Europol coordination / Exchange of information).
Encourage Member States to improve cooperation at national level between competent safety authorities. The European Commission's efforts to improve international cooperation and co-ordination between Member States are in vain if the central governments themselves do not make a commitment to incorporate the same willingness to co-operate internally. There are still gaps in this respect. A failure to cooperate in one place may have fatal consequences for the rest of the European territory
Coordinate European approach to prosecuting and preventing eco-crime. The impact of climate change on police officers in Europe must be recognised at a European level Europe’s police officers will bear the brunt of climate change’s effects – in terms of involuntary migration and population displacement, increases in radicalisation, human trafficking and organised crime, as well as mass civil unrest.
Recognize the role of police officers in identifying the conditions for entering the country by (illegal) migrants and seeking asylum. This is especially relevant in the context of Russian aggression in Ukraine and hybrid threats Encourage Member States to increase the role of police forces in addressing the flow of illegal weapons and terrorist threats.
Further streamline access to information The political agreement reached in November 2023 on automated data exchange for police cooperation (Prüm II) is welcome in that respect. EuroCOP will closely follow its final adoption and implementation.