Automated exchange of data between law enforcement authorities of EU Member States developed

Cooperation between the law enforcement authorities of the EU Member States and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) will be improved by developing automated search and exchange of data. The Ministry of the Interior set up a legislative project on 15 July 2024 to prepare the amendments to the national legislation that may be required by the EU Regulation.

The Regulation on the automated search and exchange of data for police cooperation (Prüm II) entered into force on 25 April 2024. The aim of the Regulation is to improve the automated exchange of criminal information and vehicle registration data between Member States and Europol and, through this, to facilitate the prevention, detection and investigation of criminal offences. The Regulation lays down the conditions and procedures for the automated searching and exchange of DNA profiles, facial images, police records, dactyloscopic data and vehicle registration data. 

Project explores the need for national legislation

The purpose of the project set up by the Ministry of the Interior is to examine the room for manoeuvre at national level in the Prüm II Regulation. Amendments to the national legislation will be needed, for example, if Finland will participate in the European Police Record Index System (EPRIS) established by the Regulation. When introduced, EPRIS would enhance international exchange of information and free up a significant amount of resources.

If the project concludes that amendments to the national legislation will be needed, a government proposal will be prepared on these. The term of the project ends on 30 June 2026.

Inquiries:
Hannele Taavila, Police Director, tel. +358 295 488 568, [email protected]