Options for EnhanCing Operational instruments in the area of FIrearms Trafficking

ended

AIM The Action aims to design EU policies that could improve operational action of Law-Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) in the area of firearms trafficking investigations. Recipients: European Union Member States (EU MS) and Southeast European countries (SELEC MS) EXPECTED IMPACT The Action can benefit a wide range of stakeholders in the EU and beyond by: • Strengthening LEAs’ operational role • Improving cooperation in investigations of trans-border firearms trafficking offences • Supporting effective cross-border cooperation between judicial authorities and LEAs • Ensuring coordination with bilateral, regional and multilateral actions and initiatives OUTCOMES Best Policy options for enhancing effectiveness and efficiency of each instrument considered: MDC (Mechanisms for Data Collection), MDS (Mechanisms for Data Sharing), NFP (National Focal Points), JCI (Joint Criminal Investigations), CD (Controlled delivery procedures) OUTPUTS • Existing gaps across EU MS and SELEC MS in relation to five operational instruments • Policy objectives for maximising the effectiveness and efficiency of the operational instruments • Impact Assessment of available policy options that could achieve these results • Recommendations/guidelines ACTIVITIES A) Analysing the gaps (WP2) 1) Defining LEAs cooperation as represented by five operational instruments 2) Mapping the existing gaps for each of the five operational instruments in 27 EU MS + 7 non-EU SELEC MS B) Filling the gaps 1) Setting up policy objectives (operational and strategic) for each instrument 2) Selecting the most functional policy options (WP3) 3) Assessing the different impacts (economic, financial, social) of policy options on the policy objectives (WP4) C) Producing recommendations/guidelines (WP5) D) Disseminating the results (WP6) BENEFICIARIES • Short-term: LEAs’ authorities of the 27 EU MS and 7 non-EU SELEC MS • Medium-term: UNODC/EUROPOL • Long-term: Policy makers of the 27 EU MS