25 Nov EU intelligence and innovation project offers ‘valuable opportunities’ for Hellenic Police
The Hellenic Police is a partner in the NOTIONES project, a European network bringing police agencies together to improve the capacity and capability of intelligence functions; Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth spoke to Anthoula Bania and Christos Floros, Lieutenant Colonels in the Hellenic Police, about their work with the NOTIONES network, and the benefits of participating in European security research and innovation projects.
The Hellenic Police are a partner in the NOTIONES project; what is your role within this network of police and intelligence agencies across Europe?
The Hellenic Police, as a law enforcement agency (LEA) of Greece, operates at the national level, playing a key role in ensuring public security and order. Within the framework of the NOTIONES Project, its participation as an end-user focuses on sharing operational experiences. It also identifies challenges in the field of security.
We contribute the perspectives and expertise of endusers; at the same time, it enhances our knowledge in areas related to technology, innovation, and security. The
NOTIONES Project provides an important opportunity to connect with a pan-European network of professionals working in technology, information, and security, including other LEAs. This collaboration enables us to exchange best practices and gain insights across a wide spectrum of topics of mutual interest.
The Hellenic Police actively participates in European expert groups. We contribute with our operational experience to the development of strategies and policies aimed at strengthening security and co-operation across Europe.
What activities of the NOTIONES project are you currently progressing?
Members of the Hellenic Police team are actively participating in online meetings and working groups within the NOTIONES project. Discussions in these sessions focus on the use of artificial intelligence in the security domain.
These sessions enhance our knowledge and understanding of this constantly and rapidly evolving IT field. The exchange of views and experiences within the working groups is particularly valuable; it allows us to explore business cases and approaches, which can later be applied within the Hellenic Police.
“We contribute the perspectives and expertise of end-users; at the same time, it enhances our knowledge in areas related to technology, innovation, and security.”
How will the engagement of Hellenic Police in the NOTIONES project support your business?
Our engagement in the NOTIONES project supports our business in meaningful ways.
The project offers a valuable opportunity for engagement with partners who approach security-related issues from perspectives different to those of LEAS.
This interaction significantly broadens the knowledge base and professional horizons of the participating police officers. It fosters a deeper understanding of multidiscipli-nary approaches to security challenges.
The development of project deliverables is another key aspect. These deliverables are
expected to be utilised internally within the organisation. We have the opportunity to
establish a sustainable and dynamic communication network, with partners, which can be extended beyond project lifetime. All of this greatly contributes to the exchange of know-how and best practices; elements that collectively reinforce our operational and strategic activities, and enhance our capacity to address emerging security needs.
What are the benefits of participating in European security research and innovation projects?
Through this participation, the Hellenic Police has the opportunity to evolve, learn, and connect. By working alongside researchers and experts from across Europe, police officers gain fresh perspectives on today’s security challenges, and discover new ways to build trust and co-operation with citizens. These collaborations help the organisation move beyond traditional methods. They embrace modern, evidence-based practices that have proven effective in strengthening public safety.
“This collaboration provides officers in the departments responsible for combating organized and serious crime with immediate access, offering advanced information-gathering, analysis, and utilization capabilities.”
Access to cutting-edge technologies and innovative tools empowers officers; it allows
them to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging risks and threats. At the same time, participation in international events and workshops enhances the visibility and
openness of the Hellenic Police. It fosters meaningful exchanges of knowledge and
experiences. These facilitate a safer and more connected Europe.
Are you engaging in other European research and innovation projects?
The Hellenic Police engages in other European research and innovation projects. We are involved in several other active EU HORIZON-funded research projects, including combating human trafficking and the exploitation of minors, fighting crime, improving
cybersecurity, crisis management, and disaster resilience.
In most of the research projects involving the Hellenic Police, the Centre for Security
Studies (KENTRO MELETON ASFALEIAS (KEMEA)) participates as a separate partner. It collaborates with the Hellenic Police in the implementation of research activities.
We also recently established a partnership with EUROPOL’s Innovation Lab, which aims to strategically utilise the digital tools available through the Europol Platform for Experts (EPE). This collaboration provides officers in the departments responsible for combating organized and serious crime with immediate access, offering advanced informationgathering, analysis, and utilization capabilities.
How does the Hellenic Police assess which research and innovation projects to progress?
This year the Hellenic Police set up a new Research and Innovation Department inside
the Directorate of Strategic Planning. The department serves as the key authority for
starting up, co-ordinating, and supervising evaluations on how our organisation gets
involved in European and national research and innovation programmes.
“Most of our background comes from knowing what the operations actually require and figuring out how to deliver that with technology that works well.”
This approach makes sure every proposal suits what the police really need operationally, as well as their bigger strategic goals. The department evaluates each proposal with the right services first, and looks closely at how these new ideas fit with projects already underway.
In the end, it helps keep things consistent strategically, boosts how efficiently they
operate, and ties together all the research and innovation work across the board.
How did you become engaged in police and security research and innovation, and what experience do you bring to support the NOTIONES project?
On a professional level and even personally, this area ties right into what we do every day in the organisation. It also happens to be something we care about on our own, since it helps set up the organisation to handle coming challenges around buying and using artificial intelligence systems.
Most of our background comes from knowing what the operations actually require and figuring out how to deliver that with technology that works well so, we feel pretty solid about explaining our organisation’s needs clearly and getting that across in talks with the technical folks and research partners.
What advice would you give to other LEAs seeking to engage in European security research and innovation?
LEAs that want to keep ahead of how technology and new practices develop should
definitely go for European research and innovation in security. Joining those initiatives
opens up fresh tools, fresh ideas, and fresh ways to handle things that let them deal
better with risks showing up now, as well as threats down the line.
The teamwork in these efforts does more than just share knowledge. It pushes them
away from old methods that do not hold up anymore and towards solutions that are
modern, tested, and actually effective. That way they build up security stronger, take full advantage of tech advances, and keep growing to face whatever comes in a world that changes fast.
What key lessons have you learned in delivering security research and innovation projects?
Through our participation in security research and innovation projects, the Hellenic
Police has gained valuable experience and several key lessons. First, the importance of early and continuous engagement with end-users has proven essential; actively involving operational units from the outset ensures that research outcomes are aligned with real needs and can be effectively implemented in practice.
Second, multidisciplinary collaboration among LEAs, researchers, and industry partners is a critical factor for success. Working with experts from different fields fosters a shared understanding of challenges and encourages innovative, practical solutions.
Finally, participation in such projects enhances organisational learning and adaptability. It allows officers to gain insights into emerging technologies, strengthen international cooperation, and build long-term capacity to respond to evolving security threats.
Link to article in Policing Insight: https://policinginsight.com/feature/interview/eu-intelligenceand-innovation-project-offers-valuable-opportunities-for-hellenic-police/
For more about NOTIONES network visit: https://www.notiones.eu
Lieutenant Colonel Anthoula Bania is the Head of the Department of Digital Services Design of Development Information Technology & e-Government Directorate of the Hellenic Police. She works on the analysis of requirements and processes, the design of systems to support the work of her organisation at operational and management level, as well as their interoperability with third-party systems.
Lieutenant Colonel Christos Floros serves at the Department of European Systems Support Department, in the Information Technology & e-Government Directorate of the Hellenic Police. He is an IT professional specializing in the national oversight of critical European information systems, a role which involves monitoring the end-to-end implementation of EU regulations, ensuring alignment with technical and legal frameworks. He provides comprehensive analysis on system integration, data governance, and operational security.