Motto | All together to protect you |
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Formation | 1996 |
Region served
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Europe |
The ATLAS Network is an informal association consisting of the special police units of the 28 states of the European Union. The goal of ATLAS is to improve cooperation among the police units and to enhance skills by training with the other units. The name ATLAS is a reference to the Titan Atlas from the Ancient Greek mythology.
In 1996 the Council of the European Union decided to establish a network which would increase skills, knowledge and expertise about counter-terrorism among the law enforcement agencies of the member states of the European Union. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 the ATLAS Network was formed by the Belgian DSU in order to prevent similar attacks in Europe.