EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/859

(2004/C 84 E/0950)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0729/04

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(11 March 2004)

Subject: Professional recognition for the police

The role of the police, which is carried out in each Member State by forces subordinate to national governments to ensure the application of national criminal law, is growing in importance at European level too in the face of a growing need to combat cross-border criminal phenomena such as drugs, terrorism, paedophilia and illegal immigration. At the Tampere European Council, the EU declared its intention to create an area of freedom, security and justice, committing itself to intensifying cooperation between police and judicial bodies charged with preventing and combating crime and helping the victims of criminal activities, and set up a framework programme (AGIS) to support and promote these bodies (Decision 2002/630/JHA (1)).

However, it should be emphasised that, despite the importance of their social activities, law enforcement officials are not given adequate professional recognition and appropriate protection in a number of areas: pay does not appropriately reflect the duties that must be carried out; there have at times been anomalies, some serious, in the career progression procedure; the pension contribution threshold is, in many countries, the same as that set for other categories less exposed to risk and physical stress; trade union rights are often not fairly protected and it is not possible everywhere to join or form a trade union. This occurs, albeit with some variations, in most of the 15 EU Member States and, in particular, in Italy, despite the praiseworthy initiatives of the Government aimed at improving the situation.

The police is an administrative body of the State, meaning that the issue set out above is a matter above all for the national law of Member States; however, the EU has demonstrated a notable sensitivity, as indicated above, towards the role of the police. Moreover, union relations and recognition of workers rights form an integral part of individual Community equal opportunities policies.

1. In view of the above, can the Commission state whether there exist Europe-wide studies, examples of good practice and codes of conduct on the treatment, professionally, economically and in terms of trade unions, of police employees?

2. Can the AGIS programme aim to provide an exchange of experience and information on aspects of employment law in this area, as well as on strictly police activities?

3. Are the EU's support measures in this area already complete?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(22 April 2004)

The AGIS programme adopted by the Council on 22 July 2002 (2) extends the activities of former programmes under Title VI of the EU Treaty (Grotius, Oisin, Stop, Falcone and Hippocrate). It is operated by the Commission (Directorate-General Justice and Home Affairs).

AGIS supports police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, prevention and measures to combat crime in all its forms. It co-finances training, research and study initiatives, professional exchange programmes, result sharing, conferences and seminars.

However, AGIS does not deal with the professional, economic and trade-union status of police employees and nor does it cover aspects of employment law in that area.

(1) OJ L 203, 1.8.2002, p. 5.

(2) OJ L 203, 1.8.2002.