The Association of Chief Police Officers - Parliament

Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland–Written evidenceThe European Criminal Record Information System (ECRIS)ECRIS enables the UK to notify other member states of an individual’s previous conviction.This is a reciprocal process. Its operation is underpinned by pre-Lisbon measure whichrequires courts within a member state to take into consideration any previous convictionsthe offender has obtained in another member state. It is clearly logical that the UK’s courtsshould be fully sighted on an offender’s criminal past when dealing with them.Opting out of this measure would severely impact on the ability of UK law enforcement tofully assess the risks and criminal history of foreign nationals residing in the UK.Schengen Information System II (SIS II)SIS II will go live in October 2014. SIS II is an EU-wide, IT enabled, business changeProgramme that will enable all participating States to share real-time information on personsand objects of interest to law enforcement via a series of “Alerts”. These “Alerts” will bemade available via the national police system, in the UK’s case this will be the PNC.There are five types of alerts that law enforcement officers can either create or respond todepending on the circumstances and policy:• Persons wanted for extradition to another member state (i.e. for whom and EAWhas been issued)• Missing persons• Requests for a locate report on witnesses and people for court appearances• Request information reports on major criminals and linked vehicles• Stolen vehicles, trailers, firearms, identity documents and registered banknotesThe UK has been planning for the implementation of SIS II for a number of years and hasinvested millions of pounds in the project. To opt out now would not make any sensefinancially or operationally given the importance attached to protecting our borders and ourproblems with foreign national offenders.Prϋm ConventionAlthough this measure has not yet been implemented due to financial pressures, given thecross-border nature of organised crime and open border policing within the EuropeanUnion, the ability to share DNA, fingerprint and vehicle information on a hit or no hit basiswould be extremely advantageous in the investigation of crime and the protection of nationalsecurity.The impact of opting out of Prϋm will need to be assessed by Forensic specialists. However,given that the Convention has not been implemented in the UK the detriments to policingassociated with an opt-out may not be so great.34