Europol convention: protocol amending the European Police Office. Initiative Belgium and Spain

PURPOSE : to amend the Europol Convention and the Protocol on privileges and immunities of Europol. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Council Act 2002/C312/01 drawing up a Protocol amending the Convention on the establishment of a European Police Office (Europol Convention) and the Protocol on the privileges and immunities of Europol, the members of its organs, the deputy directors and the employees of Europol. CONTENT : The Europol Convention and the Protocol are amended as follows: - rules are laid down governing participation of Europol in joint investigation teams. Europol officials may participate in a support capacity in such teams, and assist in all activities and exchange information with all members of the team, but they will not take part in any coercive measures. - the administrative implantation of the participation of Europol officials in a joint investigation team will be laid down in an arrangement between Europol and the competent authorities of the Member States participating in the joint investigation team, with the involvement of the National Units. - measures are adopted allowing Europol to ask the competent authorities of the Member States to conduct and coordinate investigation teams in specific cases. - the Protocol on privileges is amended to the effect that the immunity of Europol's staff members in respect of words spoken or written and/or acts performed by them in the exercise of their official functions, does not extend to their activities as participants in the joint investigation teams.�