The need for the Netherlands and Belgium to further integrate police cooperation

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the possibilities for improvement of bilateral police cooperation between Belgium and the Netherlands within the existing Benelux Police Treaty. Practical examples show there is a great deal of need in day-to-day police practice to further integrate police cooperation. Although a great deal is already possible on the grounds of the 2004 Senningen Treaty and the subsequent Prüm Convention, there is still a lack of broader authorizations, primarily in the area of cross-border criminal investigation. Since the Benelux Police Treaty will be revised in 2017, the sphere of operation can be expanded. This study shows that it is the intention of the Belgian as well as the Dutch authorities to achieve significant progress. Recommendations in the context of the treaty revision include scrapping small-scale police assistance in minor offences and mutual access to police registers and judicial documentation. In the future, Belgium and the Netherlands can draw up joint objectives on the basis of each side’s crime problems. Examples are joint analyses in areas such as border zone drug criminals, terrorism, mobile banditry or cocaine smuggling. The treaty revision referred to appears to be the perfect opportunity for both countries to find the limits and to take a truly innovative step in cross border police cooperation in Europe.