Capture21 is this year’s edition of Europol’s photo competition. Unfortunately, 2020 was a devastating year. Millions of people were out of work and left struggling to pay their bills. Meanwhile, more than a billion children missed out on crucial schooling. To make matters worse, criminals adapted their techniques to exploit our fears around the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of profiting by any means necessary. Despite the challenging circumstances, the 2021 competition comes at a time of great hope, together with unpredicted levels of resilience from our communities and the law enforcement officers protecting them. As we enter this new environment, it’s time to frame the new normal.
Europol invites professional and amateur photographers working with law enforcement authorities to show the evolving and increasingly innovative nature of their day-to-day work while designing the new normality.
Law enforcement officers with a passion for photography can submit up to five photos under two different categories:
- Making Europe safer. EU law enforcement officers at work to make Europe a safer place. Operational insights into the fight against organised crime, e.g. drugs and weapons trafficking, people smuggling, counterfeiting, etc. Training exercises and manoeuvres. Law enforcement pictured in abstract and artistic form.
- Re-opening Europe. As vaccination programmes are rolled out across the continent, Europe is slowly reopening. Travel is picking up again. Businesses are opening their doors, and communities are coming back together. We’re calling on photographers to share their stories from this latest episode of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, show us how police forces are adapting, taking on new tasks and helping communities through the next phase.
Closing date: 30.9.2021
For full details on how to participate, please visit the competition page.
Entries will be used in Europol publications, including calendars, social media and other communication products, as has been the case previously.
