Problems and prospects for european police cooperation after maastricht

Abstract

Despite the Maastricht Treaty provision for closer cooperation between EU police forces and a joint agency, Europol, common policy‐making and joint actions remain very difficult and limited in scope. As in earlier institutional frameworks (notably the Trevi, Pompidou and Schengen Groups), the need for unanimity between member‐state governments and the very different patterns and traditions in policing make greater collaboration problematic, despite the growing evidence of common problems. The end of the East‐West divide in Europe has increased the advantages for the governments of EU member‐states in making effective joint policies, especially on cross‐border movements. Achievements in this area, however, remain small, even though increasing numbers of professionals, experts and politicians are voicing their concerns. The “spill‐over” pressure from economic integration has not produced effective supranational policing institutions since member‐states governments have remained resolutely committed to maint...