In recent years, Europe has experienced significant increases in migration and individuals seeking refuge. Traversing borders has become just as effortless as it has ever been. People move across countries for tourism, for visiting loved ones, for studying etc. Coincidentally, people are more and more prone to going missing abroad making international cooperation between authorities and agencies essential. Usually, the effects of a missing persons are made worse by the challenges of navigating long distances, language barriers, complex legal processes, bureaucracy and the differences in cultural norms and policing methods (Greene & Alys, 2017).
Additionally, according to Europol more than 10.000 children in migration have gone missing after arriving in Europe, making this a pressing issue. The European Migration Network of the European Commission (2020) notes that the issue often stems from inadequate collaboration among different authorities. Police, asylum, social services, and child protection agencies may lack established protocols and safety measures for effective cooperation when a child goes missing. This absence of coordinated efforts hinders the ability to mount a timely and comprehensive response when such incidents occur.
When law enforcement agencies collaborate effectively, they create a safety net to ensure that vital information doesn’t slip through the cracks, significantly increasing the chances of finding the missing person unharmed. Across different jurisdictions, officers work closely together, pooling their knowledge and resources to conduct investigations and orchestrate search missions that span borders. This united effort is driven by a shared commitment to bringing closure to families and communities affected by disappearances.
Looking back at the initial police report reveals a critical step in the process: filing the report itself. Typically, this task falls upon a family member or acquaintance, who must visit the local police station where the individual went missing. However, in many cases, this proves challenging, especially when individuals have traveled alone or lack a support network in the country. In such instances, the responsibility to file the report often falls on someone close to them in their country of origin. Unfortunately, this delay means that the authorities responsible for leading the investigation at the location of the disappearance may not yet be aware of the situation, potentially hindering the initial response efforts.
To address the challenges, various established organizations focus on cross-border missing person cases. Among these are the International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation – EUROPOL, which play a pivotal role in facilitating international police cooperation. Currently, there lacks a standardized approach to cross-border collaboration. However, the dissemination of missing person alerts through the Schengen Information System (SIS) and the sharing of additional information regarding these alerts among SIRENE Bureau members are widely practiced methods of cooperation.
INTERPOL has established the use of the Yellow notice, a type of police alert which is transmitted globally. Issued to assist in locating missing persons, often minors, or to help identify individuals who are unable to identify themselves, Yellow Notices provide essential information to law enforcement agencies worldwide. Unlike other Interpol notices that signify a request for arrest, Yellow Notices serve as alerts to help locate individuals or to obtain additional information about them. They are particularly useful in cases involving child abductions, parental abductions, or missing persons where there is a risk of harm or danger. By disseminating pertinent details such as physical descriptions, photographs, and other identifying features, Interpol’s Yellow Notices enable law enforcement agencies globally to collaborate effectively in locating these individuals and ensuring their safe recovery or identification. You are advised to read more about Yellow Notices, on INTERPOL’s website listed below ‘’Suggested Resources for Further Reading”.
The SIRENE Bureau and the Schengen Information System (SIS) form critical pillars in the architecture of cross-border law enforcement cooperation within the Schengen Area. The SIRENE Bureau serves as a central hub where member states exchange information and coordinate actions related to alerts in the Schengen Information System. An alert entered into the SIS by one country instantly becomes accessible to all other countries utilizing SIS. This ensures that competent authorities throughout the European Union can promptly access and respond to the alert. Please watch the following video available on the site of the European Commission.
Cross-border cooperation is of paramount importance in missing people cases due to several key reasons. Firstly, individuals may go missing in one jurisdiction but be in another, requiring collaboration between law enforcement agencies across borders to ensure their safe recovery. Sharing information and resources across borders can significantly enhance the speed and efficiency of search and rescue operations, increasing the likelihood of locating missing individuals promptly. Overall, by working together across borders, law enforcement agencies can overcome jurisdictional barriers and maximize their collective efforts to reunite missing individuals with their families and ensure their safety and well-being.
