RAN POL Police role and contribution in the holistic, multi-agency case diagnosis of at-risk individuals, groups and neighbourhoods, Rome 31 October and 1 November 2022

On 31 October and 1 November 2022, the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN) Police and law enforcement Working Group (RAN POL) organised a meeting for a group of (police) experts to discuss the police role and contribution in the holistic multi-agency case diagnosis of at-risk individuals, groups and neighbourhoods. The participants, mostly police experts, but also other practitioners, have experience in the field of preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) and/or youth (gang) crime.

Through presentations, reflections and group discussions, participants from different Member States shared their practical experiences with holistic cooperation/diagnosis. While discussing why holistic case diagnosis is needed and exchanging the different approaches and/or tools per country, experts also shared best practices of holistic diagnosis methodologies.

The following key outcomes are distilled from the 2-day meeting:

• A successful holistic cooperation starts with a shared and convincing ‘why’ of the active contribution of all involved partners.
• A proper diagnosis of radicalisation needs to be holistic since the process of radicalisation is the result of a kaleidoscope of factors, including social factors. So, we need social and other partners to gather the input and assess the outcome of the diagnosis.
• Meeting regularly is just the first step. The holistic cooperation needs to be based on a clear methodology and proper regulations for the involved partners.

This paper presents the main conclusions of 2 days of presentations and lively group discussions. Since this was not the first time RAN POL had a meeting on multi-agency holistic cooperation for case diagnosis, this meeting aimed to be as practical as possible, with a special focus on the holistic diagnosis as the foundation of multi-agency working. Therefore, it gave practitioners practical tools and know-how for improving holistic diagnosis on the levels of at-risk individuals, groups and neighbourhoods/areas.