Fiches Belges: Denmark

Is this measure possible in your Member State under International Judicial Cooperation?

This measure is relevant to German and Swedish police. Special agreements have been entered with both states that allow and regulate “hot pursuit”.

International legal framework applicable for this measure in your Member State

Art. 41 of The Schengen Convention and separate agreements between Denmark and Germany and Sweden respectively.

* receive the request/decision for judicial cooperation

National Commissioner of Police

* execute/recognise the measure (if other than the receiving authority)

National Commissioner of Police/local police district

Accepted languages for the request/decision

Denmark will receive requests in Danish, Norwegian, Swedish or English but will also receive requests in French and German although translation may be done at sending states expense.

Deadlines for the execution of the request/decision (where applicable)

N/A

a. Special requirements

Only when pursuing a person suspected of serious crime, may foreign police conduct cross-border hot pursuit. Within the ambit of serious crime falls, inter alia, murder, manslaughter, severe sexual crimes, extortion, extensive theft, and extensive economical crime. As a general rule, German and Swedish police officers may only move up to a distance of 25 km from the border. Any foreign police personnel must adhere to national Danish law when operating on Danish territory. Foreign police personnel must be clearly recognizable, e.g. though uniforms, marked cars, armbands or the like.

b. Other useful information

Foreign police may not access places which are not open to the public. Service arms may be carried by foreign police during a cross-border observation. After a cross-border hot pursuit the foreign police officers must personally be available to the local police authorities with the purpose of making an adequate report on the operation.