Federal Administration admin.ch
Federal Department of Justice and Police
Homepage FDJP > Topics > Security > International police co-operation > Police attachés
Federal Office of Police

Police attachés

pa.jpg


Since 1995 fedpol has deployed police attachés abroad to support the Swiss police and judicial authorities in the fight against transnational crime.

At present Switzerland has a network of police attachés (PA) in the following countries: Brazil, Italy, Kosovo, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Thailand, in the USA and two PA are at EUROPOL/Netherlands.

Through cross accreditation, the Swiss PA network also covers:

  • Malta and Slovenia (from Italy) 
  • Macedonia (via Kosovo), Albania in preparation
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro (from Serbia) 
  • Indonesia and Malaysia (from Thailand), Cambodia in preparation
  • Hungary, Poland and Slovakia (from the Czech Republic) 
  • Canada (from the USA)

Additionally, a Swiss Liaison Officer is stationed at Interpol in Lyon / France.

Requirements of a Police Attaché
Police attachés are integrated into the Swiss embassies or general consulates. They have to work efficiently and under difficult conditions, and try to increase cooperation with the authorities of the host country. This requires know-how, a great deal of instinct, patience, determination and personal responsibility. Equally important for establishing contacts and exchanging information is knowledge of developments in the host country and in Switzerland.

Tasks of a Police Attaché
The tasks of a police attaché are varied and challenging. The transnational fight against crime and the ever-increasing bilateral contacts are currently two aspects that have a significant influence on the work of the attaché who has to ensure the flow of information between Switzerland and the host country and assist the law enforcement agencies in the prosecution of crime. The police attaché is also in charge of Swiss law enforcement delegations on official trips to the host country.

The PA channel is a necessary tool for fighting crime and enforcing the law. Through its fast, secure and reliable exchange of information at international level and the building of a reliable network of contacts the PA makes an irreplaceable contribution to law enforcement.

Quick search