Ukrainian Law Enforcement Officials Study Swedish Best Practices in Combating Organized Crime
May 07, 2025
As part of EUAM’s efforts to help Ukrainian law enforcement bodies align with EU legislation in the fight against organized crime, a study visit to Sweden was organised last month. The visit brought together police officers and prosecutors from Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions as part of ongoing regional cooperation between criminal police departments, counter-narcotics units and regional prosecutors.
During the five-day visit to Gothenburg, participants visited the Swedish Regional Police Directorate, the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office of Sweden and the Swedish Customs Office. The study tour focused on strengthening Ukrainian capacities in investigating and prosecuting crimes committed by organized criminal groups (OCG), with a particular emphasis on the specifics of documenting crimes committed by OCGs and supporting the prosecution in court.
Key topics included the practical application of the SOCTA methodology — the EU’s approach to assessing threats from serious and organized crime. Participants explored operational and technical capabilities used by the EU law enforcement and learned how various agencies coordinate their work within the international legal cooperation.
This visit builds on a series of EUAM-supported trainings, seminars, and working meetings, and represents a crucial step in ensuring that Ukrainian law enforcement practices are in line with European standards. Strengthening institutional knowledge and fostering cross-border cooperation is vital for addressing the complex nature of organized crime.
By learning from successful EU models, Ukrainian police and prosecutors are better equipped to investigate, document, and prosecute organized crime — contributing both the national security and regional stability in the wider European security framework.
