International Day of Police Cooperation: discover how HaDEA-managed projects are enhancing law enforcement capabilities

7 September is the UN International Day of Police Cooperation - an occasion to recognise the essential role of international policing cooperation in meeting security needs across countries. 

Through the Digital Europe Programme, HaDEA plays a key role in enhancing law enforcement capabilities by deploying a wide range of technological solutions designed to support the development and adoption of innovations across the security value chain. 

HaDEA contributes to the deployment of AI systems used for the management and operation of critical infrastructure, as well as for highly sensitive law enforcement activities. 

Below are two examples of projects that help Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) adopt groundbreaking solutions: 

• The Empower project, launched on 1 May 2023, focuses on increasing the investigative capabilities of Law Enforcement Agencies through AI-powered tools. 

  The project has entered its second year and is making significant progress toward completing its main objectives. The Empower team is preparing pilot tests for eight AI-based investigative tools, which will be conducted in Spain and Portugal. These tools will strengthen the capabilities of Law Enforcement Agencies and enhance cross-border collaboration in security. Powered by Big Data and advanced AI models (such as Machine Learning and Deep Learning), these tools will be applicable across various investigative domains, including the fight against terrorism, cybercrime, and public space protection. A strong focus is placed on ensuring compliance with ethics frameworks and data privacy regulations. 

  The tools will also be made available to non-partner agencies through open repositories and licensing schemes, in collaboration with EU institutions such as Europol. The project will allow other EU Law Enforcement Agencies to benefit from shared data, free access to innovative solutions, and improvements in interoperability and standardisation. 

• The Tracy project aims to improve the operational capabilities of Law Enforcement Agencies by applying advanced machine learning algorithms to non-content data provided by Electronic communications Service Providers (ESPs). The goal of the project is to deduce approximate behavioural patterns of crime perpetrators, aiding the agencies in the identification of suspects in their investigations. 

  After the launch of the project in June 2023, considerable progress has been made. An open-source platform integrating an AI-based system has been developed. Additionally, a micro-platform for demonstration and evaluation has been made available to Law Enforcement Agencies outside the TRACY consortium. During this phase, a thorough legal analysis was conducted to assess the applicability of the new AI Act to TRACY. A workshop was also held with four agencies from Germany, Romania, Greece, and Moldova to understand how they access large traffic data in serious and organised crime cases.  

   

Background 

The resolution International Day of Police Cooperation adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations emphasises ‘the need to strengthen international cooperation at the global, regional and sub regional levels in various areas related to preventing and combating transnational crime, in particular transnational organised crime, and preventing and countering terrorism.’ 

The Digital Europe Programme aims to build the strategic digital capacities of the EU and to facilitate the wide deployment of digital technologies. With an overall budget of €7.5 billion, out of which €0.8 billion is managed by HaDEA, the programme will support investments in the following sectors:

• High Performance Computing 
• Cloud, data and Artificial Intelligence 
• Cybersecurity 
• Advanced digital skills 
• Accelerating best use of technologies