See to act

2021: Déjà-vu. The coronavirus pandemic had entered into its second year. Our everyday lives were still being defined by this tiny virus that is invisible to the naked eye but whose effects can still be felt. For instance, whenever a co-worker tests positive and has to stay home from work. Or whenever we see someone losing their composure because of the measures and hurling insults and threats at members of the Federal Council or Parliament.

With the pandemic came the measures. With the measures came the anger. And with the anger came the threats. Threats against persons under fedpol protection – Federal Councillors, members of parliament and federal employees. We were always so proud that, here in Switzerland, Federal Councillors are able to travel by train and ride their bikes to work. But during the pandemic this was no longer possible – it became unthinkable, even. Members of government and parliament felt threatened. There were things they could no longer safely do, and they were forced to carry out their work under difficult conditions.

When someone in eastern Switzerland, for example, threatens the Federal Council on Telegram, their words can reach people all over the world. And these words could embolden someone else to take action. That is when things get dangerous for our protectors. This new situation has abruptly changed our mission.

Our job is about more than protecting Federal Councillors, members of parliament and federal employees from physical violence. It is about protecting Switzerland’s freedom and democracy. So that the Federal Palace can stay open to the public. And government and Parliament can do their jobs and serve the people of Switzerland.

The number of threats against members of government was not the only thing that went up as the pandemic progressed. The threat of terrorism remained elevated; lone actor terrorists could strike anywhere, at any time. The Italian mafia and other criminal organisations continued to be active in Switzerland, taking advantage of our location in the heart of Europe, our legal system and our political stability.

We are not short on work. On the contrary.

An ATM was blasted open in the Canton of Aargau. More were targeted in Schaffhausen, Lucerne and Zurich. The perpetrators acted fast. They used stolen getaway cars and fled abroad. The cantonal police forces are at the scene of these crimes; they see the individual offences committed by these gangs or mafias. The federal police (fedpol) see the national and international connections – the criminal network behind it all. We depend on the cantons to provide us with information so we can piece together a picture of the overall crime situation in Switzerland.

The crime situation is what determines our mission, what we prioritise and how we use our resources. If you want to understand the crime situation, you need information. The world is becoming more digitalised and more globalised every year – and so is crime. Exchanging information and cooperating both at national and international levels is absolutely crucial in the fight against crime.

We have to look at Switzerland as a single crime area. No law enforcement agency can be successful all on its own. Our federalist police system is invaluable; it ensures police’s proximity both to the areas being policed and to the citizens being protected. But we need a new take on police federalism that includes exchanging information and knowledge, and pooling competences. This will give us a bigger picture, help us make better use of our resources and take well-targeted action. Information exchange between police forces is key.

Happy reading!

Nicoletta della Valle, Director of fedpol