Strengthening law enforcement capacity to tackle hybrid threats
The second edition of the CEPOL Research Week kicked off on 1 June 2026 at the Agency’s premises in Budapest, with the annual meeting of CEPOL’s Research and Science Correspondents (RSCs). Building on the success of the inaugural edition, the event once again brings together experts from different scientific disciplines and institutional backgrounds to address the evolving complexity of security challenges while strengthening the culture of research-informed training.
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The overarching goal of the 2026 CEPOL Research Week is to develop a Common Curriculum for Law Enforcement Officials on hybrid threats as they represent one of the most complex and multidimensional security challenges currently facing the European Union and beyond.
Referring to the recently published findings of the Agency’s EU Strategic Training Needs Assessment 2026-2029 report, CEPOL’s Executive Director, Jan Pecháček stated:
There is a structural need for a pedagogically robust, law-enforcement-specific curriculum capable of addressing hybrid threats through the lens of criminal law mandates, investigations, attribution, evidence collection, disruption strategies, cross-border cooperation and resilience. The second edition of the CEPOL Research Week aims to help address this gap by ensuring that research, foresight and innovation are translated into operational preparedness through training.
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During the week more than 75 experts from diverse scientific disciplines, EU institutions and agencies, and operational law enforcement environments will exchange knowledge across different fora translating research and theory into practical and actionable outcomes for law enforcement training and capacity building. They will work together to design the foundations of a model competency-based training course on hybrid threats setting the groundwork for a structured European training framework capable of evolving into a modular learning pathway for law enforcement professionals. In this way, the capacity of European law enforcement authorities to counter hybrid activities will be strengthened while fully respecting democratic values, procedural safeguards and the rule of law.
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Background information
Within the scope of the CEPOL strategy 2023-2027, recognising the need to create a new impetus in research for law enforcement training at EU level, the CEPOL Research Week initiative was developed to promote the dissemination of research findings and foster the growth of scientific knowledge across various networks. Its primary goal is to facilitate the exploration of trends, challenges and best practices, foresight topics and opportunities in internal security.
Such discussions also help raise awareness regarding the EU's unified operational approach, especially within the framework of the European Multidisciplinary Network Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) and the EU Strategic Training Needs Assessment priorities, while contributing to the delivery of the most effective training and capacity building in the field.
About the CEPOL Research and Science Correspondents network
Research and Science Correspondents support CEPOL’s research mission and scientific activities, ensuring that it remains connected not only to operational realities but also to scientific developments, academic expertise, and evidence-based approaches to policing and law enforcement cooperation.
Among their diverse roles, they contribute to identifying emerging trends, facilitate cooperation between academia and practitioners, advise on scientific priorities, promote research at national level, and help ensure the quality and relevance of CEPOL’s training activities.
They are also instrumental in the organisation and implementation of CEPOL Research & Science Conferences and actively contribute to CEPOL’s scientific publications and research networks.
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