Towards a Governance Model of Police Cooperation in Europe: The Twist Between Networks and Bureaucracies (From International Police Cooperation: Emerging Issues, Theory and Practice, P 42-61, 2010, Frederic Lemieux, ed. - See NCJ-230937)

• NCJ Number: 230939
• Author(s): Monica den Boer
• Date Published: 2010
• Length: 20 pages
• Sale Source: Willan Publishing
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In examining the development of European police cooperation from an evolutionary governance perspective, this chapter applies four theoretical governance models to the development of international policing: neo-functionalism, liberal inter-governmentalism, multilevel governance, and network governance.

Abstract

For each of these theoretical models, the chapter specifies key concepts, key actors, sovereignty transfer, and application to police cooperation. The chapter also discusses vertical versus horizontal governance in European police cooperation under the domains of institutional appearance, levels of cooperation, key actors/interlocutors, and the key policy objective under each form of management. The chapter also describes and critiques selected practices of European cooperation, namely, Europol, "Schengen" (a wide-ranging framework for internal security cooperation in Europe), and liaison officers. The chapter shows that there are several forms of informal, horizontal, regional, and network-like practices of police cooperation. One of the potential detrimental effects of networked governance is the accountability or legitimacy deficit, which arises from an absence of written rules of process, authorization, transparency, or judicial review. On the other hand, informal bargaining within networks can help build consensus. Within the security arena, networked governance continues to be regarded as a successful form of transnational governance, despite the risk that it may lead to pioneering efforts in a legal "gray zone." Still, various cross-border and interregional initiatives have been able to function and expand in spite of maximum accountability assurances. These include the Cross-Channel cooperation initiative in which law enforcement partners from the United Kingdom France, Belgium, and the Netherlands are involved, as well as the Euroregional cooperation initiative NEBEDEACPOL and the creation of a European Police Information Centre (EPIC), which involves regional actors in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. For the future, some envision a full-blown European police organization that can act effectively when it is given supranational powers. 2 tables and 3 notes