Perception of Maltese police officers in relation to the effectiveness of information systems in the fight against crime. The Interpol and Europol links regarding international and domestic crime

Abstract

The research examines the cooperation that the Malta Police has in relation with Europol and Interpol through the use of their police digital links. The main focus lies on how Malta Police officers are trained in the use of such links and how such knowledge enhances police work, hence impacting efficiency in police work. This aspect of police work is hardly researched since efficiency is normally calculated by other means such as winning court cases. However, this everyday task of sharing information can be crucial in different types of police work, and this dissertation aims at gathering police officers‟ feedback on efficiency and cooperation within the local police system and with the other two levels of cooperation: European, through the Europol agency, and international, through Interpol. The research suggests that the Malta Police has the responsibility to acknowledge all the digital links and introduce them to all its officers.