International police co‐operation: a Norwegian perspective

Purpose – The aim of the paper is to describe and explain the importance of informal co‐operation and networking between police officers when it comes to international police co‐operation. The paper goes on to ask “what works” and what can be done to make international co‐operation function better. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on research done in connection to the author's ongoing project on the Norwegian cannabis market. The data from this study is supplied by a limited number of personal interviews by Norwegian police experts on international police co‐operation. Findings – One finding is that personal relations and networks are of great importance in practical international police co‐operation. The paper also stresses the importance of a sheared understanding and a common language expressing “what the central tasks and problems of policing are”. This finding points to the importance of cultural differences between the police forces. Originality/value – Most studies of police co‐operation are focusing on either the formal laws regulating this activity or pointing at the dangers of such co‐operation. Instead the author raises the questions: what do the police actually do when they co‐operate internationally and when does it run smoothly and what are the obstacles to co‐operation? The paper ends with recommendations on what can be done to make police co‐operate better.