On February 26th, the UVA Center for Public Safety and Justice hosted the latest installment in their CPSJ Speaker Series. This virtual event - "International Policing: Global Perspectives and Best Practices" - gathered law enforcement professionals from around the globe to discuss the structure, strategies, and challenges of policing worldwide.
The panelists included:
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Alan Gibson: Head of Learning, Training, and Development for Police Scotland.
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Michael A. Hughes: Former Director of INTERPOL Washington.
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Vaiko Vaher: Head of Operational Bureau for the Estonian Police and Border Guard.
Moderated by Michele Wucker, a distinguished lecturer at the Center, the discussion examined how international practices can enhance public safety and trust through cross-border cooperation and communication.
Fostering Global Police Communication Networks
Michael Hughes emphasized the critical need for effective communication and collaboration among police forces globally. He pointed out that while law enforcement agencies must adhere to many procedural and technical rules, criminals do not face such constraints. "We need to be operating as efficiently and effectively as possible to make sure that we're keeping the world safe," Hughes said. He highlighted INTERPOL's role in helping to coordinate among its 196-member countries. "Communication and collaboration are essential to ensure global safety," he added, given that they enable law enforcement agencies to connect seamlessly.
Sharing Information Across EU Nations
Vaiko Vaher provided insight into the unique challenges and advantages of policing within the European Union. He explained that the EU's framework, including Europol and Eurojust, facilitates robust cooperation among member states. Vaher noted, "We have tens of different databases and ways of sharing information." He discussed joint investigation teams, which allow for collaboration across borders without added agreements. According to Vaher, these teams "teams make information sharing much easier and more efficient."
From his perspective, Alan Gibson shared the experience of Police Scotland, a relatively new organization formed in 2013. He outlined the benefits of having one national police force, which simplifies operational coordination. As Gibson explained, "being one organization in one country allows us to be at the forefront of thinking in terms of organized crime and counterterrorism." He described Scotland's involvement in terms of international policing development: they host training programs and deploy officers overseas to exchange jurisdictional expertise. "We are very active in sending officers and staff internationally to learn and develop," Gibson added.
Building Global Expertise in International Law Enforcement Training
Furthermore, the panelists underscored the importance of training and capacity building when enhancing policing efforts. Gibson mentioned several initiatives, including the FBI National Executive Institute and the Leadership in Counterterrorism Program, which bring together law enforcement leaders worldwide to exchange knowledge and best practices, all of which “foster[s] a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration." To that end, he emphasized the value of in-person interactions, saying that "you can't beat the face-to-face interaction of getting colleagues in a room together."
Hughes discussed the U.S. Department of Justice's International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) in providing technical aid to foreign law enforcement agencies. Hughes explained how "ICITAP helps build capacity in countries with limited resources, ultimately contributing to global security.” He stressed the need for ongoing improvement. "We always have room for improvement anywhere we're at in our personal or professional lives," he noted.
Overcoming Cross-Border Policing Challenges in the Digital Age
Despite noteworthy progress, the panelists acknowledged several persistent challenges. Vaher pointed out the difficulty of navigating U.S. law enforcement’s complex landscape. He admitted, "Talking with the USA is difficult because there are so many law enforcement agencies," and stressed the necessity of transparency in sharing both successes and failures. "We need to be honest about our mistakes to build trust," Vaher stated.
Gibson spent some time discussing how Brexit affected information exchange and cooperation. While the UK does keep close relationships with its European partners, the loss of certain privileges through "Brexit has created some challenges for us in terms of information sharing," Gibson said. He reinforced balancing national standards with local context; doing so would, Gibson explained, help law enforcement "remain locally relevant to the communities we serve while maintaining consistency across the country.”
Collaborative Security Solutions and the Future of International Policing
The session concluded with a shared consensus on the need for adaptability and commitment to fostering trust within communities and among international partners. By investing in training, promoting open communication, and using technology, law enforcement agencies can better respond to global challenges and ensure public safety.
The insights from this CPSJ Speaker Series event highlight the importance of cross-border collaboration in the evolving landscape of international policing. By learning from each other, law enforcement professionals can develop innovative approaches that benefit communities across the planet.