Law enforcement authorities: key players in Horizon Europe – Civil Security

Under the Horizon Europe: Cluster 3 - Civil Security for Society programme, 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.

We spoke with Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel Camara, who works at the French Gendarmerie’s Centre for Forensic Artificial Intelligence, where he applies advanced data analysis methods to help the Judiciary Pole unit to take use of their data. Lieutenant-Colonel Camara wears two hats: as police officer but also as scientist with two PhDs in Computer Science and Telecommunications. He shared his insights on how participating in security research projects benefits law enforcement agencies.

What has been your experience with EU funding, and how has it been relevant for your work at the French Ministry?

I've been involved in European projects first as a PhD student and later as a researcher within the Gendarmerie via the Ministry of Interior's International Relations Department, which oversees our European collaborations. We began submitting project proposals both as a way to fund our developments and to engage with the broader research community. While not every proposal is successful, the overall experience has been incredibly rewarding.

Through these projects, we’ve built strong partnerships with academia, research institutes and industry. Although the application process can be challenging, the collaborative environment has led to many productive outcomes.

While we certainly participate as end-users, the greater benefit for us comes from being involved in the technical developments. This allows us to build solutions tailored to our specific needs and create solutions for end-users' gaps.

Can you give an example of a tool your team developed through an EU project?

One example that stands out is our automatic transcription tool, which was partially developed in the framework of the INSPECTr project. It became the most downloaded software in Europol Tool Repository last year. Currently, at least 30-40 Law Enforcement Agencies across Europe use the tool, which was made freely available through the Europol Tool Repository. 

In France, we are legally required to fully transcribe interviews involving minors. This task is extremely time-consuming — transcribing one hour of an interview can take up to eight hours. By using our transcription tool, we’ve internally estimated that our institution has already saved around €2 million in time and resources, significantly increasing our capacity.

Do you have any advice for other end-users considering applying for Horizon Europe – Cluster 3?

My main advice is to manage expectations while pushing for concrete, actionable outcomes. It’s crucial to actively engage in the proposal phase, even if it feels overwhelming. Being part of the proposal-writing process allows end-users to influence the project’s direction and ensure that their practical needs are addressed.

Another key point is to be clear with your partners from the start about the expected outcomes. While participating in a research-driven project is valuable, end-users should understand that such projects may not always result in immediately operational solutions. Recognizing this early on helps prevent disappointment and keeps the project aligned with realistic goals.

Based on your experience, what are your top three pieces of advice for fellow end-users participating in an EU research project?

1. Be vocal about your needs: It's essential for law enforcement officers to clearly communicate their operational requirements from the outset. 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. By emphasizing this direction, you can ensure your organization benefits from the resources invested, creating a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Why is research important for Law Enforcement Agencies?

Although there is still much work to be done to modernize Law Enforcement Agencies across Europe and increase the uptake of existing technology, we must continue to invest in research. Without it, we risk falling behind.

It’s like climbing a mountain. While you're climbing, all you see is the mountain. But once you reach the summit, you gain a view of the next mountain. Research helps us climb that next peak, equipping us to face future challenges.