Bilateral police cooperation agreements

The threat situation in Switzerland is not determined by domestic factors alone but also by international influences. To account for these influences and step up the fight against cross-border crime, Switzerland has concluded cooperation agreements with institutions such as Interpol and Europol and become an associated Schengen partner. In addition, Switzerland has signed bilateral agreements with five select adjoining states and a number of south- and southeastern European states.

There are plans to extend this network of agreements to be extended to include, in particular, further states of these parts of Europe.

These agreements govern cross-border cooperation, enabling, if required, the formation of joint working groups and facilitating mutual support regarding education and training. Furthermore, these agreements serve as a clear and unequivocal legal basis for the exchange of information in accordance with data protection regulations. These agreements also contain provisions on the deployment of police attachés and the establishment of centers for police and customs cooperation between states adjoining Switzerland.

Police and Customs Cooperation Centers (PCCC) facilitate and streamline Switzerland's cross-border police and customs cooperation with France and Italy. Currently, there are two centers, one in Chiasso and one in Geneva. These centers are instrumental in furthering the exchange of information between the authorities of Switzerland and these countries, and in coordinating joint surveillance operations in Swiss-Italian and Swiss-French border areas. Moreover, these centers plan and oversee cross-border police and customs operations in the pertinent areas. They are staffed with police and customs representatives from the respective partner countries, and five members of the Federal Office of Police.

The agreements are implemented by means of additional protocols and handbooks containing detailed explanations on the content of the agreements. Regular meetings between the competent authorities and cross-border exercises ensure that the provisions of the agreements are interpreted in the same way and applied in the same manner.