THE PROFILE OF EUROPOL AMONG UNITED
KINGDOM POLICE FORCES
305. It is essential that, when local police
forces seek the help of SOCA over crimes with an international
element, they should be told whether SOCA intend to seek help
from Europol, Interpol or some other agency, and be kept fully
informed of the outcome of their query and the source of any information
from international agencies. If information from Europol reaches
them re-branded as SOCA information, this will hinder their evaluation
of it. (paragraph 260)
306. Similarly, if SOCA requests information
for Europol from police forces, they should be told that this
is the purpose of the request. (paragraph 261)
307. It should be the responsibility of SOCA
to arrange visits to Europol by officers from United Kingdom forces,
and to encourage senior officers to have a better understanding
of Europol's work. (paragraph 263)
Conclusion
308. We hope that those of our recommendations
which require amendment of the Council Decision will meet with
the approval of all the Member States, and can be made so that
they enter into force, if not with the entry into force of the
Decision on 1 January 2010, then soon after. (paragraph 22)
309. We recommend this report to the House for
debate. (paragraph 8)