Europol National Unit

Return to Greece proved not easy. After a 4 year tour in the occupied Palestinian Territories and after being distant from main police tasks and duties, being back in the Hellenic Police HQ behind a desk seemed like a death penalty and the paperwork (piles of docs) the most lethal and appropriate weapon for the job!

The International Police Cooperation Division of the Hellenic Police HQ became my new ‘Palestine’ and my new home as I used spend for of my early days there.

Fortunately, my boss and the hierarchy of the Hellenic Police had a more sophisticated plan for my case. After an induction and re-adjustment phase in the EU, International Affairs and Missions Deartment of the above mentioned Division, which lasted something more than 3 moths, I was appointed Deputy Director of the Europol National Unit in the same Division.

Europol is the European Union’s law enforcement agency whose main goal is to help achieve a safer Europe for the benefit of all EU citizens. Europol has its HQ in the Hague – Netherlands and consists of the Member – States and Third Parties National Units. Additionally it has deployed a significant number of Europol Liaison Officers in various International and Regional Organisations and various Locations in Europol Missions.

Europol Headquarters, The Hague, Netherlands

Europol tuned to be the place where I could intergrate my international experience in international relations, peacebuilding policy, security sector reform, consultancy and training with operational activities at the European level related to fighting terrorism and organized crime through intelligence gathering – sharing, analysis, joint operational activities and missions.

As a deputy Director of the Europol National Unit, I was assigned with both a leading / co-directing and a coordinating role.

Amid the day to day Europol operations, I was taksed to represent the Hellenic Police to the various Europol policy and operational meetings, to provide strategic and administrative support and advice to the Hellenic Police Leadership and additionally to guide and supervise the Greek Europol staff in handling the serious and organised crime cases through the Europol systems (SIENA, EIS).

Within the Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA) 2014-2017 framework I was responsible at the ENU level for the analysis and of the various AWF and FP reports and the coordination of all actions required for the successful implementation of the specific Operational Action Plans (OAPs) by applying a multiagency approach and cooperation.

SOCTA 2014-2017 EMPACT Priorities

Europol became a significant part of my professional experience; it was the field where my previous international experience merged with intelligence and operations at the European level. Siggnificant security related incidents such as the terrorist attacks in Belgium, Denmark and France; the rise of Islamic extremism in the network; and the growing migration and refugee flows from conflict affected areas, alongside criminal side effects marked my days in Europol.

Very soon I understood the preventing and fighting crime, at all its forms, requires not only a good understanding of its origings – causes and dynamics, but also alongside seriousness and professionalism, genuine cooperation and effective communication.

in Palestine

    Initially I feel the need to apologise to my fellow readers. It has been long since my last post and for sure some of you have lost track of my ‘adventures’ in the occupied Palestinian Territories. This simply happened because these ‘adventures’ have come to an end.

    Leaving a mission is not an easy thing; especially after four years. Many of you know this better than I do. Leaving USSC and the Palestinian Ministry of Interior was not an exception.

With Their Excellencies clockwise: President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas, Greek-Orthodox Patriarch Theofilos the 3rd, Minister of Interior Dr. Said AbuAli and the USSC VADM Paul Bushong.

    Political impediments, lack of funds and shifts to Greek diplomacy led to an end of the cooperation between Palestinians, USSC and the Greek Government and consequently my secondment as a Technical Advisor.

End of mission brings good and bad things. The way I see things, a new chapter begins; new career perspectives, new posts, new challenges. But all at the same time leave a bitter taste at the end. Goodbyes and farewells with great colleagues and friends, incomplete work and an ‘empty chair’ – where in my case, unfortunately didn’t have a successor.

    I feel sad for many reasons. I left a great Team and a great working environment; a prestigious mission with sound impacts. Also, I left programmes and projects unfinished; deprived from the pleasure to see ‘seeds blossom and flourish giving goods’. But the remedy to my sadness is what I have witnessed. Throughout my four year secondment I was privileged to see the progress and the change in the Palestinian Security Forces. A strong and organisationally matured Ministry and professional and effective Security Services within the framework of democratic governance, rule of law and human rights. Although, always there will be space for improvements. The reference to the numerous changes I have seen is beyond the scope of this post. And this is exactly what consolates my sadness.

    Leaving with all the honours received stigmatised me and sealed a confirmed and recognised commitment and contribution from my side. The photos of this posts may evidence this to you. For me things are not as they seem to be.

All this, aside from sad, is unfair. Below is a part of my leaving speech:

“I came here to serve and support you. I came here to give. But also I took from you and I’m afraid that I took more than what I gave. I’m not leaving Palestine empty-handed. I came as a Police Officer and now leaving as Police Officer. The difference is; that I’m leaving a better person”.

    Through this post and by repeating my last words I want to thank all of you for working with me and supporting me in this mission. I want to thank all the friends and everyone for everything. For this experience, for the unique moments. And to wish you all the best and to continue with the same and even greater intense and commitment. Especially in these days where our values and professionalism is challenged from instability and security risks in all West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Soon I believe that I can be proud to say that I did my part in the ‘State of Palestine’.

Home is where your heart beats; I left a part of my heart back in Ramallah; in Palestine. 

Olympic Games Security

When I graduated from the Greek Police Officers’ Academy, as a young 2^nd lieutenant, I was posted in the Olympic Facilities of the Equestrian Centre in Athens, due to the Olympic Games in 2004. As young and inexperienced I was really eager to start working and apply the knowledge and skills acquainted in the Academy for 4 continuous years, plus internships in between.

The security of an Olympic facility for this major event which followed by people all over the world, proven to be a great experience that taught me a lot. Concepts like security clearance, security classification and accreditation, security management and others minor literally jumped out from the paper and became my reality. As appointed the Chief of Entrance security in the abovementioned premises I had to deal with these concepts in a daily basis. Athletes, Trainers, Training staff, Horses (animals) and respective equipments and staff (vets, dieticians, etc.), vehicles and spectators where subject of my authority. I realize that dealing with so many categories of security objectives, each of them has to be dealt differently and in a specific way. Especially when we had VIP spectators from royal families all across the world and still had to pass the security check to enter the facility.

Soon, in my early days I understood that securing an Olympic facility is something more than an ordinary police task or mission. The areas and the sensitivity of the event required professionalism and good manners at the same time, as a parallel prime objective was not only to conduct safe Olympic Games, but also to promote the country for its services and the hospitality.

Another area where I had to work on was the cooperation with volunteers. Honestly speaking, in the Academy there was no training in working in this field. Through my work and mostly working alongside with experienced Greek and international Police Officers I learned a lot in managing and cooperating with security volunteers. I realized that the risk was to see them as an obstacle to our daily operations, but at the end everyone had to realize that these people can offer and they are highly motivated for work. All it was required was clear tasks, good communication and genuine will for work and offering.

One of the best things during this period was to work for the Paralympic Games that followed after the Olympic Games. I received special training in dealing with people with disabilities from the point of how to name and call them and in more practical issues, like how to offer our assistance. Applying the security regulations to people with disabilities with equality and respect was a big lesson for me. It showed me a grey area that I was aware of but had no idea how this could be related to my work.

During my work in this post, almost 3 months, I gained a lot and also gave a lot. Despite the ordinary use of technology and equipment, as regards, securing a facility and to make and preserve it clear, I managed people, led them to their tasks and advice them in a variety of situations. I took the responsibility to de-escalate incidents, investigate and solve cases. This experience, beyond the uniqueness it offers to be proud of contributing to an international event, helped me a lot in my next post, as a Police District Commander of a multitask Police Department in the North-Western part of Greece.