Main programme

 

06.05.2026, 09:45

Control the Device, Protect the People: Sovereignty, Security and Compliance in Digital Policing

Modern policing increasingly relies on secure mobile and stationary devices, resilient operating systems, and trusted cloud services. However, many of these critical technologies are part of global technology ecosystems and are therefore subject to foreign jurisdictions.

This keynote explains why the management of police devices has evolved from a purely technical IT task into a strategic responsibility for police leadership and government decision-makers.

It demonstrates how sovereign Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) platforms – systems that centrally manage and secure police devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets – enable law enforcement agencies to combine technological innovation with the protection of sensitive operational data. At the same time, such architectures strengthen the resilience of mission-critical infrastructure and ensure full legal and jurisdictional control over police technology.

 

 

06.05.2026, 13:30

Debate: Safety in public spaces

Citizens expect their safety to be protected and public spaces to be kept free of neglect. Germany remains one of the safest countries in the world. Nevertheless, there are worrying developments and a declining sense of security. Negative experiences in public spaces, for example at train stations, on trains and buses, at events, in swimming pools and parks, have a particularly negative impact on quality of life. Reports of physical assaults, knife attacks, drug-related crime, robberies and open aggression fuel fears and provide scope for political finger-pointing and supposedly simple and radical demands. Together with decision-makers and experts, we examine the current situation and discuss requirements and concepts for improvement.

After a brief report on the current situation in Germany, we will hear about developments and concepts in the partner country of our congress, the Republic of Italy.

We will then examine the current situation with officials and experts and discuss requirements and concepts for improvement.

 

 

 

 

06.05.2026, 17:45

Debate: Migration between security and humanity

In 2023, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) recorded 380,000 illegal entries into Europe (2022: 326,000). This marked a preliminary peak. In contrast, the figures fell noticeably in 2024, which is mainly attributed to the lower influx via the central Mediterranean route and the Western Balkan route. This trend has continued so far in 2025.

Nevertheless, the issue of migration remains highly political and is partly influenced by extreme positions. The consequences have been the subject of discussion within society for years, and now also in the media. The issue divides the population, and the democratic centre seems to be increasingly losing confidence. The perceived impact of migration on crime and, according to current surveys, a growing sense of insecurity among the population in public spaces are contributing to this. The dissent is becoming more pronounced, and people are threatening to shift to the political fringes.

The European Union and the Federal Republic of Germany itself are trying to counteract this. With the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) and the amendment of German law (‘CEAS Amendment Act’ and ‘CEAS Follow-up Amendment Act’), the first instruments for limiting and regulating migration have been created.

We will discuss the current situation from the perspective of the EU and German domestic policy. To this end, we also highlight developments in the Republic of Italy, the partner country of our police congress. The churches and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in asylum issues are critical of some of the tightening measures and are pursuing goals that they are implementing through concrete actions (‘church asylum’, sea rescue, legal advice, financing). We will also take this aspect into account.

Perhaps with the aim of ensuring that security and humanity do not have to be mutually exclusive when it comes to the issue of migration.

 

07.05.2026, 11:30

Debate: 360° KRITIS – between digital attacks and real failures

No internet, no electricity, no water – digital attacks on public authorities, hospitals or power stations can bring everyday life to a standstill. Cyber attacks on critical infrastructure require technical defences, organisational preparedness and strategic crisis management. Continuous monitoring, information sharing and coordinated defence strategies can reduce vulnerability and ensure the protection of essential services.

However, the key question remains: how can operators and security authorities increase the resilience of critical systems and detect attacks at an early stage before serious disruptions occur?

 

 

 

 

Panels I, 06.05.2026, 11:00 – 12:30

  • AI and mass data

For years, increasing digitalisation has led to a steady growth in the amount of relevant data in police investigations. The data volumes are often so extensive that manual processing within a reasonable time frame is impossible. Various methods of data processing using AI are therefore already being used by the police. Nevertheless, AI still has enormous potential for analysing mass data in the context of investigative support.

The expert forum aims to provide an interim conclusion on the use of AI by the police in the processing of large amounts of data: What have we learned? What possibilities are there? Where do we want to go? In addition, the expert forum will provide an outlook on previously unused technologies and methods and include fundamental considerations on the use of AI in the police force.

 

  • International drug trafficking, the new ways

For several years now, European North Sea ports have been facing enormous pressure from cocaine shipments originating in South American production and transit countries. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates that global cocaine production currently stands at more than 3,700 tonnes, which is another significant increase compared to previous years. Large quantities of drugs are transported on sea vessels in container traffic, for example hidden in banana boxes or in the structure of a refrigerated container (“reefer”), through the logistical hubs to the lucrative drug market in the EU. While cocaine seizures, especially in the major European North Sea ports, also reached record levels until 2023, they have been declining sharply since 2024. However, as drug prices on the regional cocaine market have also continued to fall recently, it must be assumed that the availability here remains at least as high as before. There is no sign of a shortage; rather, it appears that internationally active organized crime groups have adapted with great flexibility to the increased countermeasures taken by the authorities, presumably by adjusting their smuggling routes towards the European drug market (e.g., via West Africa, secondary European seaports or inland ports) and changing their modus operandi (e.g., so-called ‘drop-offs’ in coastal waters to avoid ports altogether, or mixed with legal carriers to make detection more difficult). This development provides new challenges for law enforcement and control authorities.

 

 

1.3      Faster, more confident, but legally compliant? Government agility between pressure to innovate and sovereignty

Technological innovations are progressing exponentially, while government processes are linear. New opportunities and dependencies are emerging rapidly, particularly in AI, data platforms, cloud infrastructures and automated analytics. Security agencies are under operational and structural pressure, while having to comply with strict legal frameworks. The central question is: ‘How can we become faster without undermining the principles of the rule of law?’

The session aims to discuss viable options for action. The focus is on the question: How can security authorities innovate faster without compromising digital sovereignty and security? The following aspects will be examined:

  • Legally permissible scope in public procurement law
  • Strengthening European technology ecosystems
  • Role of standardisation and open interfaces
  • Safeguarding data and operational sovereignty
  • Limits of agility in the context of security authorities

Digital sovereignty is created through strategic architectural decisions, controllable dependencies, contractually guaranteed transparency and European cooperation capabilities. Agility is a question of structural quality, not speed.

The session aims to highlight practical procurement and cooperation models, question strategic misconceptions, identify realistic limits to state agility and provide impetus for a coordinated European technology policy. The focus is on the question: How can an actor operating under the rule of law shape technological capacity to act without undermining its principles?

This session is intended as a contribution to a strategic debate on the future of state technological capability in Europe.

 

1.4      Security concepts in public institutions

The increasing aggression and propensity for violence in society are increasingly endangering the common good. In the past, attacks were mainly directed against public servants who took repressive action, i.e. primarily police officers and law enforcement officials.

Now, almost all public institutions and their employees are confronted with this problem, whether it be hospital emergency rooms, medical on-call services, schools, refugee facilities, government agencies, recreational facilities (swimming pools), public transport or employment agencies. This list of examples is by no means exhaustive, but it outlines the scale and scope of the problem.

The resulting challenges must be viewed from at least three angles.

On the one hand, it is important to protect employees and not leave them helpless in this situation. This is done, for example, through prevention campaigns such as ‘Sicher im Dienst’ (Safe at Work) in North Rhine-Westphalia as part of the NRW initiative ‘Mehr Schutz und Sicherheit von Beschäftigten im öffentlichen Dienst’ (More Protection and Safety for Public Sector Employees), but this can only be the beginning of the solution to the problem.

Verbal abuse, sexual harassment, coercion and violence in public institutions have a lasting negative impact on visitors’ sense of security and lead to avoidance tendencies. When a family asks itself whether it can still go to the outdoor swimming pool with its children without worrying, the critical question arises as to whether this already affects the personal freedom of citizens in our country.

Ultimately, there is still the issue of the problem groups themselves. What approaches can be used to prevent and crack down on the phenomenon described? Victims often talk about the lack of consequences for perpetrators and are sometimes even afraid to report incidents.

In the panel discussion, representatives from various public institutions will present their experiences and proposed solutions.

 

1.5     Cloud & Co.

Secure and independent data processing is becoming a strategic priority for security authorities. A trusted cloud infrastructure enables lawful, efficient, and cross-agency handling of sensitive information. This expert forum explores the technical, organizational, and legal dimensions of a nationally governed cloud solution, highlighting its relevance for the digital capabilities of police and other security actors.

 

1.7      Sabotage – are we sufficiently prepared? The political threat landscape, organisational context and legal challenges

The significant increase in acts of sabotage in recent years calls for a more in-depth examination of the issue. What is the current threat landscape? Are security agencies sufficiently prepared from an organizational standpoint; for example, are their capacities and capabilities properly allocated? Are the penalties sufficiently deterrent? Is cooperation between operators of critical infrastructure and security agencies effective? These and other questions will be discussed in Forum 1.7.

1.8     Working together against CSAM: stakeholders, challenges and solutions

The fight against child sexual abuse material (CSAM) involves organisational, technical and legal challenges. Key stakeholders include the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (LKÄ), state police forces, public prosecutors’ offices, forensic service providers and research institutes. Whilst the police and public prosecutors’ offices conduct complex investigations and are confronted with vast amounts of data, they receive support from external service providers and innovative research projects. The panel will provide an up-to-date overview of the situation and discuss how cooperation can be made more efficient.

 

 

 

Panels II, 06.05.2026, 16:00 – 17:30

2.1     Police action for greater road safety

In police road safety work, the traffic services and heavy goods vehicle groups, together with employees of the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM, formerly BAG), are responsible for monitoring and controlling commercial passenger and goods transport, among other things, and thus make an important contribution to safety on Europe’s roads.

Commercial goods transport on German roads has almost doubled in the last 20 years. Experts estimate that up to 1.4 million lorries are on German motorways and that this number will continue to rise. However, it would be a mistake to consider only national aspects here; road transport, and commercial passenger and goods transport in particular, must be viewed from a European perspective. Of the approximately 1.4 million lorries mentioned above, around 460,000 are registered abroad. Many lorries pass through individual European countries as transit countries. This means that, in the interests of road safety, these checks must be carried out across Europe and must complement each other. The industry is characterised by fierce competition, time and cost pressures, and often inadequate infrastructure, particularly in the area of rest and parking areas. Overworked, distracted, but also poorly trained drivers are often the cause of serious traffic accidents. The vehicles themselves often have technical defects or have been tampered with. Experts see overloaded lorries as a contributing factor to serious damage to transport infrastructure.

This context also raises the question of how such a vehicle can be stopped if the driver attempts to evade police measures for various reasons.

Electric mobility is increasingly reaching the freight forwarding industry. In the case of electric vehicles (BEVs), regardless of whether they are trucks or cars, special considerations must be taken into account when recording accidents and, even more so, in the event of vehicle fires, which require close coordination between the fire brigade and the police.

In the forum, experts from the police forces of Belgium and Germany, as well as from the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM), will present the requirements for controlling this type of traffic and for accident investigation.

 

 

2.2      A troubled world – how international terrorism is developing?

At a time when terrorist threats are constantly changing and becoming more entrenched, this forum is dedicated to a comprehensive analysis of the current terrorism situation, with a focus on Germany and its neighbouring countries. The focus is on both existing and emerging forms of terrorism and extremism, which are presenting police and security authorities with increasingly complex and, in some cases, novel challenges.

Islamist terrorism continues to pose a constant and serious threat. Despite intensive countermeasures, there has been no sustained decline in this danger.

At the same time, however, new or previously little-noticed forms of terrorism are increasingly coming to light, particularly in the area of left-wing extremism. Some of these structures and forms of action have been in existence for some time, but have only become more apparent in the recent past and are now posing a new type of threat. They are placing additional strain on the security authorities, as they increasingly call into question existing assessments of the situation, evaluation criteria and operational concepts.

In addition, the forum focuses on the phenomenon of so-called ‘teenage terrorists’. Increasingly, very young perpetrators are being identified who radicalise themselves in a short period of time and are prepared to commit serious acts of violence or terrorism. This development poses particular challenges for the police, the judiciary and prevention work, as traditional radicalisation and perpetrator profiles are only of limited use. The combination of adolescence, digital influence, ideological fragmentation and, in some cases, a lack of integration into established structures makes early detection and legal and operational responses considerably more difficult.

Another key aspect of the forum is the inconsistent definition of the term ‘terrorism’ within Europe. Differing legal and political classifications in individual countries not only make it difficult to assess the phenomenon jointly, but also to develop coordinated approaches to combating it. Against this backdrop, the forum deliberately focuses on presenting and classifying the specific situation in Germany and its immediate neighbours in order to provide an accurate and realistic picture of current developments.

The aim of the forum is to provide a differentiated and realistic picture of the continuing and emerging terrorist threats. In doing so, it seeks to identify causes, dynamics and current developments and discuss starting points for preventive and repressive measures. The forum sees itself as a platform for the objective classification of the current threat situation and for joint reflection on the challenges facing the police and security authorities today and in the future.

 

 

2.3      Riot police

This year’s expert forum organised by the Inspector of the State Riot Police will address the challenges faced by riot police in the tension between sport and violence.  Unfortunately, football without violence is merely a goal, not a reality, even though the vast majority of fans are peaceful and cooperative and only a small proportion of the relevant fan base regularly poses challenges for the state police forces. Speakers from several federal states will report on experiences from individual matches, but will also present new approaches to managing such police operations. In addition, current nationwide initiatives on the subject will be briefly outlined.

 

2.4      Do organised criminal groups endanger our society?

The forum focuses on gang and extended family crime as one of Europe’s key domestic and security policy challenges. It highlights how violent, sometimes transnational structures are increasingly evading traditional law enforcement and openly challenging the state’s ability to respond.

An impressive example is Sweden, where gang and extended family structures have been causing a massive escalation of violence for years. The number of bomb attacks rose significantly again in 2025, having a lasting impact on the population’s sense of security. Although the number of shootings is declining, serious injuries and numerous deaths continue to occur on a regular basis. The involvement of the military in a logistical and support role illustrates that the threat situation has long since reached a dimension that pushes traditional police resources to their limits – with considerable domestic political consequences.

In addition, the forum highlights the work of the ‘Fusion’ investigation team in Cologne, which was set up in response to numerous attacks and bombings in the greater Cologne area. The investigations required close cooperation with the Dutch police, as a significant number of the suspects came from the Netherlands. Despite numerous arrests, findings to date show that the structures of violence have become further entrenched.

‘Violence as a service’ has now established itself as a fundamental problem and a new phenomenon. Attacks and contract killings are increasingly being carried out by individuals who do not even know the actual client. This is already the norm in certain areas of organised crime. Here, too, the structures and processes are once again made clear.

The forum thus makes it clear that crime committed by gangs and extended families is no longer a marginal phenomenon, but a core domestic policy issue affecting the state’s ability to act, social resilience and European security cooperation.

The pronounced international networking of these structures is particularly relevant to security policy. Law enforcement is increasingly coming up against structural limits, resulting in domestic political debates about responsibilities, cooperation and legal instruments.

 

 

2.5     Recruitment and retention

The police force of the future faces the key challenge of attracting qualified personnel, retaining them in the long term and, at the same time, meeting rising social expectations.

In view of a dynamic labour market and growing tasks, modern recruitment strategies and innovative measures for employee retention must be developed.

In the conflicting areas of ‘protection and law enforcement’, this requires not only attractive career paths and flexible deployment models, but also a value-oriented and health-promoting organisational culture.

The expert forum highlights how technological developments, modern and healthy management approaches and target group-oriented communication can contribute to strengthening police employees. It will also discuss the structural conditions necessary to ensure long-term motivation, professionalism and resilience. The focus will be on best practice examples from European police authorities as well as new research findings.

In addition, the forum aims to provide impetus for the strategic development of recruitment and retention strategies in order to ensure the long-term operational capability and sustainability of the police force.

 

 

2.6      Criminals are using 5G, while the emergency services are using narrowband radio! How can we harness the benefits of MCx solutions for the emergency services?

While criminals already use modern broadband networks, many public safety radio functions still rely on narrowband technology. In this panel, we provide a practical look at targeted expansion through Mission Critical Services (MCX). Experts from German federal states, Deutsche Telekom, and Motorola Solutions discuss how a hybrid TETRA and broadband strategy strengthens operational capabilities. Beyond requirements for devices, networks, and services, this forum outlines the benefits of additional broadband capacity for public safety.

 

2.7      Master new public procurement law, find good bidders and award contracts quickly

[…]

 

2.8      Police data analytics between state and market: How much autonomy do we need – and how much cooperation can we dare?

Against the backdrop of growing analytical demands, geopolitical dynamics, and rapid innovation cycles, representatives from policing, academia, and ministerial administration will discuss topics including: Digital sovereignty in police data analysis, cooperation design with the private sector, constitutional requirements for data evaluation, and the future viability of state security architectures.

 

 

Panels III, 07.05.2026, 09:00 – 10:30

3.1      New applications for AI in security agencies

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) opens up new applications for security authorities across all areas of responsibility, including internal support services and administrative functions. In particular, it benefits situational awareness and the analysis of internal data, as well as the forensic processing of large volumes of data in the fight against complex forms of crime, and much more. Unfortunately, the use of AI by disruptors and criminals also gives rise to new threats and criminal phenomena. This expert forum examines current fields of application, technological developments, and the strategic and ethical framework for the use of AI by security authorities. The aim is to realistically assess the potential of AI and to provide guidance for its responsible use, underpinned by the rule of law.

 

3.2     Human trafficking and illegal migration/routes, dynamics and criminal structures

Migration flows to Europe and onward to Germany have undergone noticeable changes since 2024. While public debate often focuses on asylum application figures, a more nuanced view of actual migration and refugee flows – particularly irregular entries and routes used – reveals a more complex picture.

Comparing 2024 and 2025, there has been a significant decline in irregular border crossings across Europe, although this trend varies depending on the route. Despite temporary fluctuations, the central Mediterranean route (North Africa–Italy) remains one of the most important migration axes to Europe. In contrast, the eastern Mediterranean route in conjunction with the classic Balkan route has been declining since 2024, while the western Mediterranean and Atlantic routes via Spain have gained regional importance. These shifts also have an indirect impact on Germany, as a significant proportion of migrants move on within the Schengen area after their initial arrival in southern European countries.

Parallel to the changes in routes, human smuggling has shown a high degree of adaptability. According to current findings, loosely organised transnational networks operate on the various routes, often with regional roots but cooperating internationally. North African, Eritrean and Ethiopian structures are particularly prominent on the central Mediterranean route, sometimes in conjunction with armed groups in transit countries. The eastern Mediterranean and Balkan routes are dominated by mixed networks of Middle Eastern, South-Eastern European and local criminal actors. The western route is mainly used by North-West African-Spanish smuggling structures. Digital communication tools and social media are playing an increasingly central role in the recruitment, organisation and deception of migrants.

For Germany, this results in an overall picture that is relevant to security and migration policy: declining overall numbers do not necessarily mean an easing of the situation, but are accompanied by greater professionalisation and flexibility of smuggling networks. At the same time, the lack of route-specific recording of onward migration to Germany makes it difficult to assess the situation accurately.

The forum aims to bring together and discuss current quantitative developments, the shift in migration routes and the role of organised smuggling. The aim is to interlink migration policy, police and security perspectives and derive robust starting points for prevention, international cooperation and strategic control.

 

3.3      Police OSINT in the digital revolution

Generative AI, misinformation and the dynamic transformation of social media are fundamentally changing how information is created, disseminated and evaluated. At the same time, the hyperlocalisation of digital communication, new regulatory approaches and questions of digital sovereignty in a geopolitical context are leading to growing challenges for police investigations. The panel discussion will examine how police OSINT must evolve strategically in order to remain effective in the face of technological progress, political conditions and operational efficiency.

 

3.4      New international crime phenomena

The forum takes a critical look at international crime phenomena that not only cross borders but also shake up Europe’s domestic political structures.

First, the focus is on the phenomenon of grooming gangs in England, a dark chapter that remained hidden for over a decade until it finally erupted into the public eye. These groups not only abuse girls directly, but also make them available as commodities for abuse, revealing a glaring weakness in social and political prevention. The impact on society and politics is serious and calls for a rethink of the security architecture.

In Sweden, the phenomenon of ‘killer kids’ highlights the fragility of the legal system. Here, children are sometimes used as tools for criminal activities, sometimes internationally, with complex structures making it difficult for the authorities to identify the masterminds. There are close links here to the phenomenon of ‘violation as a service’, which, however, goes far beyond the issue of children alone. International interconnections are becoming increasingly apparent.  This development also shows how much the rule of law is suffering from increasingly transnational networks and how difficult it is to catch those actually responsible.

The aim of this forum is to develop an understanding of these phenomena and to work out urgently needed solutions. The aim is to expose the weaknesses of domestic policy and to strengthen the political will to combat this transnational threat. […]

 

3.5      Think globally, act locally – the value of international educational formats for police practice

This expert forum takes a practical look at the benefits of international education and exchange formats for police training and continuing education. The aim is to present different approaches to educational mobility and reflect on best practices. This also includes experiences with the EU’s Erasmus+ programme, which contributes in particular to the further development of skills that are in demand in the security sector today.

 

 

3.6       Youth violence – what is happening among young people?

The forum is dedicated to the alarming increase in youth violence, which is evident both in schools and on the streets. First, the complexity of this issue will be analysed by examining both violence among young people in schools and attacks on teachers and law enforcement officers. Particular attention will be paid to specific examples from everyday school life that illustrate the drama and complexity of the issue. The forum will then present meaningful statistical data that illustrates the extent of youth violence in Germany and Europe.

The forum will present integrative project approaches that combine preventive and criminal proceedings measures to counteract youth violence in the long term. The role of the police, which can often only intervene reactively, will also be discussed, as effectively combating youth violence requires an integrative approach involving all social actors.

 

3.7      Sovereignty ‘Made in Practice’

[…]

 

 

Panels IV, 07.05.2026, 15:40 – 17:10

 

4.1     AI in everyday criminal investigation

[…]

 

4.2      Digital transformation processes in the police force

[…]

 

4.3      Are our trains and stations safe?

Not least due to the debate on urban design, the current situation at railway stations in particular has become the focus of public discussion. But safety on public transport is also increasingly being questioned. Media reports on outstanding incidents at home and abroad are adding to the debate. The issue must be seen in the context of the current question of safety in public spaces. Large railway stations are often places where people feel unsafe in the evening and at night, but small stops (suburban railway stations) are just as affected.

Railway stations are among the places where social problems are particularly noticeable. Drug scenes, drunk people, rowdy behaviour, graffiti, littering, fare evasion and disturbance of the peace quickly give the location a run-down impression. Without going into depth here on the controversial ‘broken windows theory’, these are precisely the indicators that give users the impression that there is apparently no interest in public order or the law here.

Furthermore, female passengers in particular report feeling uneasy when using local public transport outside rush hour, especially when it is not very busy.

Is it just the passengers’ sense of security that is disturbed, or is there actually an increased objective risk of becoming a victim of crime?

The implications of this problem are far-reaching, even affecting the much-vaunted mobility transition. Travellers who feel unsafe when using the train prefer to travel by car or choose to fly!

Experts from the Federal Police, DB Security and the largest passenger association discuss and debate the situation and present their proposals for improving it.

 

4.4      Domestic violence – Femicide – Foot shackle

[…]

 

4.5      Secure mobile communication

[…]

 

4.6      Technology and logistics in support of maritime policing (waterway security): operational challenges and innovative solutions

[…]

Side Events

 

06.05.2026, 09:00 – 17:00

Scientific Side Event: AI in the policing

[…]

 

06.05.2026, 10:00 – 13:00

Drones – Threat situation and organisational and legal risk prevention

The misuse of drones is increasingly posing major operational challenges for police and security authorities. Unmanned aerial systems enable new means of committing crimes, shorten response times and make it more difficult to assess situations and prevent hazards in public spaces. New operational situations are arising, particularly at events, in urban environments and in the protection of critical infrastructure.

The forum highlights the threat situation from an operational perspective and addresses legal and tactical limits to police action. The focus is on questions concerning the development of an effective defence system and its integration into existing command and operational structures.

The aim is to provide a realistic insight into the threat situation and how to neutralise it, to promote the exchange of experience and to identify approaches for the further development of police operational concepts for dealing with drone threats.

 

06.05.2026, 13:30 – 14:30

             From Recording to Intelligence – The Next Generation of Police Interviews

As Chief Product Officer at Davidhorn, Arnulf Refsnes works at the forefront of developing technology that supports modern investigative interviewing. While most police forces today record interviews, the real opportunity lies in improving the entire interview process — from preparation to the final evidential record.

In this keynote, Arnulf explores how purpose-built software can transform investigative interviews. He will demonstrate how technologies such as video conferencing, real-time transcription and translation, video analysis and AI-assisted interview support can help investigators prepare more effectively, conduct better interviews and produce stronger evidential outcomes.

 

06.05.2026, 13:30 – 15:00

What role should data analysis provide for the police?

[…]

 

 

 

 

07.05.2026, 09:00 – 15:30

Civil Defence/Civil Military Cooperation (CV/CMC) The Role of the Police

Current developments in security policy highlight the importance of coordinated cooperation between civil and military actors for effective overall defence. This side event offers an in-depth overview of structures, legal frameworks and operational challenges. The focus is on the role of the police in civil defence (CD), particularly in civil-military cooperation (CMC) in Germany. It will examine the framework guidelines for overall defence, the Germany Operations Plan and the legal framework for police action, including emergency law in the context of national and alliance defence. Questions surrounding combatant status will also be addressed. The current situation of hybrid threats and possible conflict developments from a military and security perspective will be discussed. The practical contributions highlight scenarios and requirements for the police in the context of civil defence. They address the specific tasks of the police, particularly in relation to traffic measures in crisis situations and the protection of critical infrastructure. Specific areas of cooperation are highlighted, such as cooperation between military police and the police. The programme is supplemented by insights into civil emergency planning and the work of aid organisations.

The side event is aimed at members of the police, the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and other security institutions who wish to deepen their knowledge of the structures, processes and legal foundations of total defence.

 

 

07.05.2026, 09:00 – 15:00

Money laundering and financial investigations: New scenarios and European cooperation

Financial crime is rapidly evolving into a sophisticated, multi-domain threat—combining technological innovation, shadow financial systems and cross-border networks.

This round table brings together senior experts from law enforcement, financial intelligence units, supervisory authorities and international institutions to examine emerging money laundering models, ranging from cryptocurrencies and vIBANs to underground banking and property-based schemes. The discussion will focus on the increasing convergence between cyber-enabled crime and traditional financial mechanisms, and on the operational challenges this creates for investigators.

A central theme will be European cooperation—how to strengthen intelligence-sharing, accelerate cross-border investigations, and translate insights into coordinated action.

In a landscape where speed, data quality, and collaboration define effectiveness, the session will explore how to move from fragmented signals to actionable financial intelligence.

 

 

 

07.05.2026, 09:00 – 16:00

BOS Strategy Forum

The strategy forum will focus on concepts, approaches and solutions for the future mobile communication of the authorities and organisations with security responsibilities.

However, new approaches to realization, financing and implementation within a manageable time frame will also be examined: “Solutions should be based on the Pareto optimum.”

 

07.05.2026, 09:00 – 16:00

EES and Beyond – The Future of Border Gears Solutions

EES and Beyond: The Future of Border Gears Solutions” offers an exclusive platform for discussing the latest developments in entry/exit systems and modern border technologies. The focus is on practical insights, future requirements and collaborative dialogue on innovative solutions.