Information sharing, secrecy and trust among law enforcement and secret service institutions in the European Union

Aden, Hartmut

doi:10.1080/01402382.2018.1475613

Cited by 16 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…The final information sharing barrier noted by both police and probation services was lack of trust over how information would be used and who it would be shared with, in line with previous research highlighting a culture of secrecy within policing ( Kelley, 2003 ; Maras, 2017 ; Gil-Garcia et al, 2019 ). This is often underpinned by concern that investigations will be compromised by offenders being made aware of police activities ( Maras, 2017 ; Aden, 2018 ). Feedback from both probation and police officers paralleled these previous findings, but both parties also noted that lack of clarity regarding the Data Protection Act and GDPR exacerbated this, creating misconceptions about what information could be shared with boundaries in place.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Evidence highlights a culture of secrecy within policing, which produces a mantra of “ need to know ” rather than “ dare to share ,” and lack of clarity around data protection further exacerbates this reluctance to disclose information ( Kelley, 2003 ; Maras, 2017 ; Gil-Garcia et al, 2019 ). Lack of trust in how other agencies may use information increases concerns that intelligence will be compromised or lost ( Maras, 2017 ) and investigations hampered by offenders being made aware of police activities ( Aden, 2018 ). Yet, withholding information compromises risk assessments and increases the potential for offenders on license to commit further serious offenses ( Maras, 2017 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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“Dare to Share”: Improving Information Sharing and Risk Assessment in Multiteam Systems Managing Offender Probation

et al. 2022

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Managing offenders released from prison requires a multiteam system (MTS) approach, with teams from across police, probation, and other criminal justice agencies. However, public inquiries highlight current approaches are impaired by poor information sharing that compromises risk assessment and recall decisions, which can allow serious further offences to occur. Little research has focused on the causes of these information sharing difficulties. The current study draws on the perspectives and experiences of probation and police officers to improve understanding of causes of information sharing difficulties. The research is conducted within the context of a new enhanced information sharing ‘Direct Access’ initiative implemented in one region of the UK (Devon and Cornwall) that permits probation to directly access police information technology systems. This provides a novel opportunity to cross validate MTS theory to the real-world context of offender management and considers what works in practise to overcome information sharing challenges. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with police (N = 4) and probation (N = 7) officers. Thematic analysis revealed six themes: i) information sharing difficulties and impact; ii) causes of information sharing difficulties; iii) impact of ‘Direct Access’ on information sharing practices; iv) workload inequality; v) training; and vi) evolution of ‘Direct Access’. Overall, findings highlight that information sharing difficulties are causes by not knowing what information to request or share, limited resources, lack of clarity about General Data Protection Regulation and concern about consequences of breaching this. These barriers can result in delays and failures to share information, which hinders the accuracy of risk assessments and ability to safeguard. Findings also highlight that providing statutory partners with ‘Direct Access’ to I.T systems can improve the relevance and timeliness of information. However, ‘daring to share’ is not enough to address trust issues without also clarifying expectations regarding information use and perceived workload inequalities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Dare to Share”: Improving Information Sharing and Risk Assessment in Multiteam Systems Managing Offender Probation

et al. 2022

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“…Aden, 2004, p. 65f). As major parts of police information are governed by confidentiality or even secrecy (see Aden, 2018), knowledge that police officers have about citizens without letting them know what information they have exactly is a central element of policing tactics and strategies. With information found in databases, police officers wield a considerable advantage in terms of knowledge which can further unsettle the individuals stopped as they do not fully understand what happens during a search in the databases and what the outcome might be.…”

Section: Theoretical Framework: Asymmetric Power-relationship and Mic...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Police stops in Germany – between legal rules and informal practices

Aden

Bosch

Fährmann

et al. 2022

JOE

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PurposeThis paper analyzes micro-political strategies that police officers use during police stops, mostly based on their professional or personal life experience. Police stops take place in an asymmetric power relationship. Actions of police officers during a stop are backed by strong legal powers, and citizens typically do not negotiate how the stop should be carried out.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on ethnographic observation, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with German patrol officers.FindingsThe authors demonstrate that micro-political strategies relying on the officers' personal experience, rather than on strategies developed by the police agency based on empirical evidence, are highly problematic. Depending upon the acting officer, micro-political strategies can vary considerably according to the individual officer’s experience and attitudes. This leads to a risk of discrimination in police stops and of potential infringements on the citizens’ fundamental rights.Research limitations/implicationsSee the paper’s methodology section on the limitations of the empirical approach.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests improvements for the practice of police stops.Originality/valueThe article provides new empirical insights in the practice of police stops in Germany and situates the findings in a broader international debate on police stops and shortcomings of the legal rules that govern the police stops.

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“…More generally, the availability of information leads to an asymmetric power relationship (cf. Aden, 2004Aden, , 2018. Power is based on access to and understanding of information and knowledge; power can be more easily exerted upon someone who does not understand the data landscape.…”

Section: Transparency Accountability and Data Protectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Privacy and Security: German Perspectives, European Trends and Ethical Implications

Aden¹

2021

Ethical Issues in Covert, Security and Surveillance Research

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Since the European Union's (EU) Charter of Fundamental Rights became binding in 2009, data protection has attained the status of a fundamental right (Article 8) throughout the EU. This chapter discusses the relevance of data protection in the context of security. It shows that data protection has been of particular relevance in the German context -not only against the backdrop of rapidly evolving information technology, but also of the historical experiences with political regimes collecting information in order to oppress citizens.

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Information sharing, secrecy and trust among law enforcement and secret service institutions in the European Union

Cited by 16 publications

References 28 publications

“Dare to Share”: Improving Information Sharing and Risk Assessment in Multiteam Systems Managing Offender Probation

“Dare to Share”: Improving Information Sharing and Risk Assessment in Multiteam Systems Managing Offender Probation

Police stops in Germany – between legal rules and informal practices

Privacy and Security: German Perspectives, European Trends and Ethical Implications

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