Council Decision of 22 December 2000 establishing a European Police College (CEPOL)

30.12.2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 336/1
COUNCIL DECISION
of 22 December 2000
establishing a European Police College (CEPOL)
(2000/820/JHA)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 30(1)(c) and Article 34(2)(c) thereof,
Having regard to the initiative of the Portuguese Republic (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Whereas:
(1) At its meeting in Tampere on 15 and 16 October 1999, the European Council agreed that a European Police College, hereinafter referred to as ‘CEPOL’, should be established to train senior officers of police forces, such forces being understood to mean law enforcement officials as referred to in point 47 of the Presidency conclusions.
(2) The European Council in Tampere agreed that CEPOL should initially consist of a network of existing national training institutes, without precluding the establishment of a permanent institution at a later stage.
(3) There already exist national, European and international organisations and bodies active in the area of police training, on whose cooperation CEPOL should be able to rely in carrying out its tasks.
(4) It is desirable to develop quickly a relationship between CEPOL and national training institutes in applicant countries with which the European Union is conducting accession negotiations as well as those in Iceland and Norway, so that these institutes can have access to CEPOL activities.
(5) The European Union has been active in this field, in particular by adopting and implementing programmes under Title VI of the Treaty, such as the common programme for the exchange and training of, and cooperation between, law enforcement authorities (OISIN) (3) and the programme for exchanges, training and cooperation for persons responsible for action to combat organised crime (Falcone) (4).
(6) CEPOL should carry out its tasks by progressive stages in the light of the objectives set out in the annual work programmes and with due regard for available resources.
(7) It is necessary that this Decision be reviewed after a three-year period in order to decide on an extension of CEPOL's tasks, and on modifications to its institutional structure,