European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL)

KEY POINTS

Objectives

With particular emphasis on common respect for, and understanding of, human rights and fundamental freedoms in the context of law enforcement, CEPOL’s main objective is to support, develop, implement and coordinate the training of law enforcement officials. In particular, it:

• supports EU countries in providing training to raise awareness and knowledge of:
  • the implementation and use of international and EU instruments on law enforcement cooperation,
  • EU bodies such as the European Police Office and Eurojust, and their operation and role,
  • police and judicial aspects of law enforcement cooperation and practical knowledge about access to information exchange channels;
• supports EU countries, at their request, in developing regional and bilateral cooperation through law enforcement training between EU countries, EU bodies and non-EU countries;
• has a network of national training institutes for law enforcement officials to support and liaise with the national unit in each EU country;
• develops, implements and coordinates training on specific criminal or policing subjects;
• provides training and assists in improving and sharing best learning practices.

Tasks

CEPOL’s main tasks are:

• preparing multiannual training needs analyses and learning programmes;
• supporting, developing, implementing and coordinating training activities and learning products, which include:
  • exchange and temporary transfer programmes as well as study visits in the context of law enforcement training,
  • courses, seminars and conferences, as well as web-based, e-learning and other innovative and advanced training activities,
  • common curricula for law enforcement training on specific subjects with an EU dimension,
  • training modules graduated according to progressive stages or levels of complexity of the skills needed by the relevant target group, and which are focussed on a specific geographical region, a specific thematic area of criminal activity or a specific set of professional skills;
• developing, implementing and coordinating training to support EU countries and EU bodies in training law enforcement officials for participation in EU missions and law enforcement capacity-building activities in non-EU countries;
• promoting the mutual recognition of law enforcement training in EU countries;
• promoting the recognition by EU countries of the role of training provided at EU level with due regard to the principle of subsidiarity.

Structure and location

Based in Budapest, CEPOL is governed by:

• a management board, made up of representative from each EU country and 1 from the European Commission;
• an executive director, appointed for 4 years.

Where appropriate, CEPOL can be advised on the scientific aspects of its work by an independent scientific committee for training.

Financing

Each year, CEPOL prepares a budget which is balanced in terms of expenditure and revenue. The executive director draws up a draft statement of revenue and spending estimates and an establishment plan which is reviewed by the management board.

Work programmes

By 30 November each year, CEPOL adopts a document containing its multiannual programming and its work programme for the following year.