Governing European Policing: Some Problems and Prospects

Abstract

In this article, I address some of the 'democratic deficits' raised by the development of a cross-border policing capacity within the European Union and consider how these might best be made good. The argument unfolds in three parts. I seek, first of all, to clear a little ground by offering a critique of two currently prevalent and - in certain political quarters - appealing responses to European policing's democratic shortcomings. Secondly, I identify some key properties of the European policing field that future regulatory strategies must take proper account of. I then outline a framework for regulating European policing networks in ways that sustain considerations of equity and democratic accountability and sketch some tentative institutional proposals that can advance such a 'project'. A brief conclusion assesses the prospects for this project within contemporary European politics.

Keywords:

• Policing
• European Union
• Governance
• Legitimacy
• Democracy