Under the Horizon Europe: Cluster 3 - Civil Security for Society programme, managed by the European Research Executive Agency, police authorities are not just passive recipients of research outcomes. Instead, they play an active and pivotal role as participants in EU projects.

In security research projects, law enforcement authorities collaborate closely with academia and industry to ensure that project outcomes effectively address capability gaps and operational needs.

In an interview, Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel Camara, who works at the French Gendarmerie’s Centre for Forensic Artificial Intelligence, gave 3 valuable tips on how law enforcement authorities can maximise the benefits of their participation in an EU research project:

1. Be vocal about your needs: Don't shy away from the different approaches researchers might take — the value comes from combining practical, on-the-ground experience with academic expertise. While this collaboration can be challenging, open dialogue is key to identifying needs and aligning project objectives.
2. Involve technical experts: To get the most out of the project, ensure that technical staff from your organization are involved. For example, if the project focuses on public surveillance, include personnel who have the expertise to manage infrastructure. They can add significant value and help steer discussions in the right direction.
3. Focus on concrete outcomes: As a representative of your law enforcement agency, your role is to guide researchers toward practical, implementable results.

Read the full interview here.