Setting up proactive criminal intelligence in EU Member States

Abstract

The paper presents by means of qualitative descriptive analysis, the components of the concept of criminal intelligence and the obstacles that appear when incorporating the concept into the EU's internal security architecture. The concept of (criminal) intelligence consists of a relatively new approach, which has served as the basis for the creation of a model of criminal intelligence-led policing. Member States and the competent EU bodies have realised the importance of introducing intelligence-led policing, since it brings a proactive approach to activities undertaken by the police. The new policing model is implemented in the European Criminal Intelligence Model. The paper demonstrates that the latter can only be applied efficiently if Member States support the principles on which it is based. To begin with, Member States must have a basic understanding of the new concept in order to enable its efficient functioning. Member States that have not yet set up criminal intelligence will therefore first have to devise a system (of criminal intelligence at the national level), with a system of the exchange of information and criminal intelligence as an integral element. Only then will it be possible to create quality criminal intelligence products. The new findings are applicable to Slovenia and to other (new) EU Member States that have yet to devise a concept of criminal intelligence and create a model of intelligence-led policing.