More than 400 police chiefs and senior law enforcement officers from 53 countries and 13 international organizations gathered at Europol headquarters in The Hague for the European Police Chiefs Convention (EPCC) 2025. The annual event provided a vital platform for global law enforcement leaders to discuss major security challenges and develop strategies to counter emerging threats.
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Opening Remarks and Keynote Speakers
The conference opened with remarks from Catherine De Bolle, Europol’s Executive Director, and Lars Steen, Deputy National Commissioner of the Danish Police.
Keynote addresses were delivered by:
- Magnus Brunner, EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration
- Beate Gminder, Director General for Migration and Home Affairs, European Commission
- Gerassimos Thomas, Director General for Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission
Key Discussions: Tackling Emerging Threats
Crime-as-a-Service: Protecting Minors from Online Recruitment
A central concern was the rise of minors being recruited into criminal networks through online gaming, social media, and encrypted platforms. Leaders highlighted how criminals use the internet for intimidation, extortion, and even contract violence.
Key recommendations included:
- Establishing specialized investigative structures to track online recruiters.
- Launching educational campaigns in schools to protect vulnerable youth.
- Using AI-driven data sharing to detect criminal networks faster.
- Imposing regulatory responsibilities on gaming and social media platforms to cooperate with law enforcement.
Following the Money: Criminal Use of Digital Finance
The second major focus was on criminals exploiting digital financial systems for organized crime, cybercrime, and terrorist financing.
Challenges identified:
- Rapidly evolving criminal techniques that surpass law enforcement capacity.
- Shortage of experts and tools to trace cryptocurrency transactions.
- Weak anti-money laundering (AML) standards in certain jurisdictions that hinder cross-border investigations.
Proposed solutions:
- Conducting joint investigative sprints to recover criminal assets across borders.
- Investing in blockchain and crypto-analysis tools with better training for officers.
- Recognizing money laundering as a standalone crime to streamline prosecutions.
- Strengthening public-private partnerships for better intelligence sharing.
Strengthening Europe’s Security Architecture
The 14th edition of EPCC also hosted a meeting of customs administration directors, where customs leaders discussed strategies to counter cross-border threats. The convention reinforced the importance of collaboration and harmonized practices among European nations.
Recognizing Innovation in Policing
One of the highlights was the Europol Excellence in Innovation Awards, which honored law enforcement agencies from Portugal, Germany, and Norway. Categories recognized included:
- Policy development
- Diversity and inclusion
- New operational approaches
- Technological innovation
These awards celebrated contributions in combating digital crime, financial crime, and protecting vulnerable populations.
Looking Ahead: Europol’s Next Steps
As the conference concluded, Europol emphasized the importance of international cooperation, modern policing strategies, and technology-driven solutions to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital world.
Conclusion
The European Police Chiefs Convention 2025 highlighted how global law enforcement leaders are uniting to address crime-as-a-service, digital finance exploitation, and cross-border threats. Through stronger cooperation, innovative solutions, and technology-focused strategies, Europol and its partners are working to ensure a safer and more secure Europe.