Brussels, 4 September 2025
EuroCOP called for urgent EU action to protect police officers and strengthen internal security during key meetings in the European Parliament in Brussels. While speaking at the EPP Group High-Level European Police Summit, EuroCOP President Jonne Rinne made clear that it is high time for Europe to “stand behind its officers, and that attacks against them should be tracked, prevented and prosecuted with the full weight of our collective institutions.”
On 3rd and 4th September EuroCOP representatives and its members organisations have engaged directly with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to highlight the urgent need to reinforce Europe’s police forces, protect officers on the ground and strengthen Europe’s internal security strategy.
During meetings with MEPs including LIBE Chair Javier Zarzalejos, EPP Vice-President Tomas Tobé, Lena Düpont, Maravillas Abadía Jover, Verena Mertens, Maria Walsh, Michalis Hadjipantela, Michael McNamara, Ciaran Mullooly, Regina Doherty and Geadis Geadi, EuroCOP representatives discussed priority issues for police officers such as violence against the police, working conditions of law enforcers, their mental health and wellbeing as well as cross border cooperation and access to information. No Member State can face these challenges alone and there is need for a coordinated EU response.
EuroCOP President Jonne Rinne underlined: “Our members are on the frontline of Europe’s security. To protect citizens, we must also protect those who protect us. That means tackling violence against the police, ensuring fair working conditions and stepping up cross-border cooperation.”
At the European Police Summit organized on 3rd September in the European Parliament, EPP Group leadership, EPP Members of the European Parliament as well as Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner stressed the urgent need to empower police across Europe. In two thematic panels on Protecting Europe and Protecting Those Who Protect Us, EuroCOP contributed with clear priorities:
- Recognising police as a high-risk profession and guaranteeing minimum EU-level employment protection, including pensions, health coverage and mental health support.
- Establishing a European Observatory on Violence Against Police Officers.
- Recognising violence against the police under Europol’s mandate.
- Introducing an EU Operational Capacity Fund to strengthen local policing where crime risks are highest.
The meetings and dinner confirmed political support for advancing these priorities. EuroCOP will continue to work with the European Parliament, European Commission and Member States to ensure the revision of the Europol Regulation, the upcoming employment protection initiative and the EU’s internal security strategy all deliver stronger protection for police officers and safer societies for citizens.