The Concept and Specific Features of Interaction Between the National Police, Prosecutor’s Office, and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine

This article examines the concept and specific features of interaction among state authorities, with a focus on cooperation between the National Police, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS). The relevance of this topic stems from the need for effective coordination of law enforcement agencies’ activities in contemporary conditions marked by the rise of transnational crime, hybrid threats, military conflicts, and socio-economic instability. It is noted that inadequately regulated mechanisms of interaction, fragmentation of functions, and overlapping powers may adversely affect the quality of law enforcement activities and the effectiveness of crime prevention efforts. The article analyzes the legal and regulatory framework governing the operations of these bodies. It is established that the Prosecutor’s Office provides procedural oversight over pre-trial investigations, the National Police performs functions related to crime detection and prevention, while the SBGS is tasked with protecting the state border and combating offenses linked to illegal migration, smuggling, and threats to the territorial integrity of the state. Interaction among these bodies is deemed a necessary condition for the effective fulfillment of their mandates, enabling prompt responses to offenses, optimization of resource use, and elimination of overlapping competencies. The article explores theoretical approaches to defining the concept of “interaction” within the law enforcement sphere. Specifically, it reviews perspectives from various scholars who characterize interaction as coordinated and harmonized activities grounded in legal and regulatory principles, aimed at achieving common objectives in ensuring public order. The authors emphasize that successful interaction must encompass not only inter-agency (external) mechanisms but also intra-systemic (organizational) coordination mechanisms. Particular attention is paid to the European experience in organizing law enforcement agency interaction. It is underscored that aligning Ukrainian legislation with European standards is a critical step toward enhancing the efficiency of the National Police, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the SBGS. The article concludes by highlighting the necessity of enshrining interaction among these bodies as one of their core statutory duties, which would contribute to more effective maintenance of public order, protection of state interests, and safeguarding of citizens’ rights.