Shifting gear : Europol in the contemporary policing era

Having presented the genealogy of Europol, and thus the paradigm within which its representatives have developed their mission, mandate and strategy, this article then highlights a number of challenges this body now faces. The organization’s legitimacy deficit is of prime importance. At the same time, shifts in national policing and law enforcement practices are also having considerable impact upon Europol’s objectives and working methods. Overall, the article presents an inventory of the policy shifts that Europol has experienced, before setting out different scenarios actors are currently envisaging as possible paths for the future.