On 12 December 2024, the deadline for implementing the fresh rules on the exchange of information between law enforcement authorities in the European Union expired. The European Commission has initiated proceedings against 18 associate States, including Poland, which have not yet full implemented the fresh rules. The aim of these provisions is to improve police cooperation across the European Union, peculiarly in the fight against global crime.
According to data from the European Commission, Poland and 17 another associate States have not introduced rules on the exchange of information in time. This may impede cooperation between police from different countries, which may have a negative impact on public security. The European Commission underlines that full implementation of these rules will aid to combat cross-border crime more effectively and will increase the effectiveness of police action.
The Directive provides that each EU country should establish a dedicated contact point for law enforcement authorities from another countries, which will act as a hub for the exchange of information. The deficiency of specified solutions in Polish law may mean that officers from another countries have hard access to the data needed to conduct global investigations.
Statistics show that cross-border crime is an expanding problem in the European Union. According to Europol, over 100,000 cases of cross-border crime were reported in 2022, of which more than 50% were drug trafficking. The Directive on the exchange of information aims to reduce this figure by improving police cooperation.
Poland now has 2 months to respond to the European Commission and implement the required rules. If the action is insufficient, the European Commission can take further steps to even mention the case to the EU Court of Justice and impose financial penalties. According to the figures, the financial punishment could be up to 1% of the GDP of the country.
The EU Court of Justice is the highest legal body in the European Union to interpret EU law and settle disputes between associate States. In the case of Poland, the EU Court of Justice may impose a financial punishment if Poland fails to implement provisions on the exchange of information.
Police cooperation in the European Union is key to ensuring public security. Poland, as 1 of the associate States, should implement rules on the exchange of information in order to improve police cooperation and increase the effectiveness of police activities. According to data, over 70% of cross-border crime is linked to the deficiency of police cooperation.
In the future, the European Union plans to make police cooperation by introducing fresh technologies and improving the exchange of information. This could increase the effectiveness of police action and guarantee public safety in the European Union. According to data, in 2023 the European Union plans to allocate over EUR 100 million to the improvement of police cooperation.
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