The project implemented by the State Police, Project No. VP/IDF/2024/2 "Strengthening the Combating of Serious, Organized and Cross-Border Crime and Promoting Cooperation with Participating Countries," has come to a conclusion. Its primary objective was to enhance the State Police's capacity to prevent and combat organized crime, thereby fostering a legally secure living and economic environment.
As part of the project, the State Police continued its initiative to organize annual international experience-sharing meetings in the field of homicide investigation. Two international meetings were organized, bringing together heads of homicide investigation units from various countries. More than 50 participants from different nations attended each meeting. One session was dedicated to innovative and tactical solutions for preventing and solving cross-border homicides, while the second focused on the impact of new technologies on crime commission and investigation, youth recruitment for criminal acts, as well as the phenomena of "crime as a service" and "violence as a service."
In addition, international cooperation in combating organized crime was strengthened through an international conference. The event focused on the challenges law enforcement agencies face when prosecuting leaders of organized groups who do not directly execute criminal acts themselves. The information gathered and best practices shared will be used to propose amendments to the Criminal Law of Latvia.
One of the project activities involved conducting a comprehensive study on the availability of narcotic and psychotropic substances among youth, the specifics of their distribution, and their accessibility in educational institutions. The study provided deep insights into their prevalence in Latvia and will serve as a foundation for future anti-drug initiatives. The study and its results are available in the State Chancellery's research and publication database.
In cooperation with the State Police College, 15 specialized training courses in combating serious, organized, and cross-border crime were conducted under the project, involving more than 500 participants. The training covered six thematic areas: K9 operations and missing person searches, digital intelligence and OSINT, cryptocurrency and digital evidence investigation, covert surveillance and operational activity, and tactical readiness alongside specialized technical equipment handling. A promotional video reflecting the practical section was produced from the training session "Police Practice in Organizing Search Operations for Missing and Unlawfully Absent Persons (Including Escaped Offenders)." Participant feedback indicates that the training provided significant experience and knowledge beneficial for future service, with attendees noting that such training should continue after the project's completion.
Concurrently, the State Police's material and technical infrastructure was upgraded through the procurement of new, innovative technical tools, enabling efficient gathering, recording, and analysis of evidence.
Project participants emphasized that the contacts established and practical experience gained represent a substantial contribution toward more effective investigations of complex cross-border crimes.
The total funding for Project No. VP/IDF/2024/2 "Strengthening the Combating of Serious, Organized and Cross-Border Crime and Promoting Cooperation with Participating Countries" is EUR 1,922,000, comprising EUR 1,441,500 from the European Union Internal Security Fund and EUR 480,500 from the national budget. The implementation period ran from July 16, 2024, to June 30, 2026.
