The impact of Brexit on European police cooperation for British policing agencies

Prior to Brexit, the UK enjoyed access to a range of mechanisms to facilitate cross-border police and judicial cooperation via reciprocal arrangements for officers from countries posted to the UK. Most significantly were the initiatives developed under the aegis of the European Union, such as membership of Europol, Eurojust and the European Arrest Warrant. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which set out the terms of the UK‘s departure from the EU, came into effect on 31 December 2020. It allowed the UK to maintain access to the Prüm databases and the Passenger Names Record but removed access to tools and information systems such as SIS II, the Europol databases and Eurojust. It also adapted access to the European Arrest Warrant. This paper discusses future challenges drawing upon research conducted at Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Surrey providing the reflections from UK practitioners and those with expertise in this area of operational police cooperation and policy.