Multi-Agency-Cooperation Between Law Enforcement and NGOs in Preventing Radicalization and Extremism: Evidence on Conceptual Issues, Problems and Possibilities

• In Event: Multi-Agency Approaches in Countering Right-wing Extremism: Experiences, Outcomes and Challenges

Abstract

Preventing radicalization and politically or religiously motivated extremism and hate crimes is a matter of high priority in numerous countries. The current trend in responding to such threats to society involves the implementation of holistic measures that require multi-agency cooperation between state actors, civil organizations, and other stakeholders. In this context, we conducted a qualitative and quantitative questionnaire-based study involving N = 150 law enforcement and non-governmental prevention practitioners. The study aimed to assess previous experiences in inter-organizational cooperation, expectations, boundary conditions of successful cooperation, and constraints or unsolved problems regarding the implementation of cooperative measures to prevent extremism and radicalization.
The results of our study revealed two dimensions of problems and possibilities associated with multi-agency approaches to the prevention of extremism. These dimensions included intra-organizational issues, such as perceived necessity, preparedness, and norms for cooperation, as well as inter-organizational challenges, such as trust and prejudice towards cooperation partners, and transparency of cooperation. We discuss these results in terms of possible intra- and inter-organizational developments to overcome constraints and to foster effective multi-agency cooperation in preventing extremism and radicalization.

Authors

• Sebastian Lutterbach, Friedrich Schiller University Jena

• Andreas Beelmann, Friedrich Schiller University Jena