NCJ Number
158583
Date Published
1995
Length
89 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the structure and organization of police forces in countries of the European Union and describes law enforcement agencies that operate in each country.
Abstract
The report employs a common approach for each country. First, general background information is provided, noting in particular the country's administrative structure since this often affects police organization and accountability. Second, each country's judicial system is outlined in brief. Third, the organization and operation of each country's police force are described and any unusual or interesting points are noted. The book concludes with a discussion of police training initiatives within the European Union. The authors indicate there are over 1.3 million police officers in the European Union; with a total population of about 373 million, this means about 1 police officer for every 281 persons. The European Union has 121 separate police forces, excluding municipal and other local police and agencies with primary responsibilities in such areas as customs, immigration, and forestry policing. Policing arrangements for the European Union are complex, given the number of forces with policing responsibilities, and police organizational structures and police powers vary. Special policing organizations exist in many countries, often operating outside main policing structures. Examples of such organizations include railway police, forestry police, and waterway police. Police force recruitment and training practices and legal and judicial systems also vary by country. 60 references, 1 table, and 1 figure