Police Expert Network on Missing Persons
Police Expert Network on Missing Persons
The Police Expert Network on Missing Persons (PEN-MP) is the official European missing persons police network consisting of police experts in the field of missing persons from all over Europe. The network was initiated by the AMBER Alert Europe foundation and is now officially affiliated with the Law Enforcement Working Party (LEWP) of the Council of the European Union.
The PEN-MP brings together over 80 law enforcement experts from 34 EU and non-EU countries. The goal of the PEN-MP is to bring together law enforcement experts in the field of missing persons. The PEN-MP enables fast and direct cross-border cooperation and communication between law enforcement experts in missing person cases. It also provides specialist support, advice, and training to participating law enforcement authorities.
Current PEN-MP Presidency
On January 1st, 2023, Izanne de Wit, National Coordinator Missing Persons at the Dutch National Police, started her two year presidency of the Police Expert Network on Missing Persons. The PEN-MP makes use of a rotating presidency.
Official recognition by the council
The PEN-MP was announced in 2016 under the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the European Union. At its launch, the Dutch Presidency called on every Member State to appoint a national contact for the network. In support of the Dutch initiative, a majority of 465 Members of the European Parliament from all EU Member States signed AMBER Alert Europe’s Written Declaration for better European cooperation on saving the lives of missing children.
Strict separation of operational activities
AMBER Alert Europe is primarily responsible for administrative and logistical support of the PEN-MP, including its Public Affairs. The foundation also facilitates the PEN-MP’s expert training sessions and supports, manages and supervises PEN-MP projects. These activities are strictly separated from the operational police activities of the PEN-MP.
The exchange of operational police information takes place through the official channels ( such as SIS, SIENA, and INTERPOL), also respecting the EU legal framework plus relevant legislation, directives and regulations relating to privacy and data protection.
Members have access to:
- Contact details of police colleagues in other European countries
- Support and advice from colleagues and experts
- A yearly event to catch up with other missing person experts from across Europe
- Support and advice in relation to national AMBER Alerts/Child Alerts
- Relevant training sessions on missing persons by experts
- Opportunities to share expertise and learn from good practices of colleagues
Members of the Police Expert Network
Observers of the Police Expert Network
