Europol has today unveiled the winners of Capture24, the agency’s annual photo competition.
The competition, open to police officers in all EU member states, celebrates the hard work and dedication of law enforcement authorities across Europe.
This year, Europol received submissions from agencies throughout the EU and abroad, showing the many ways that law enforcement officers actively work to make Europe safer.
This year, three awards were given out, each decided by a different group of voters: the international law enforcement community represented in Europol headquarters, the heads of communication of the European law enforcement authorities, and members of the public.
“We are happy to announce that Sergio Chicharro from Spain, Connie Maria Westergaard from Denmark, a Capture two-time winner, and Sara Teixeira from Portugal submitted the winning entries,” the agency said in a statement on Tuesday.
The winners of Capture24
The Europol Liaison Network’s Vote went to Sergio Chicharro from Spain for his submission, showing officers of the Spanish National Police inspecting a tunnel. This image was the favourite of the 300 liaison officers from around the world, representing both EU member states and third parties in the Europol headquarters in The Hague.
Connie Maria Westergaard from Denmark entered the favourite picture of the heads of communication of the European law enforcement authorities, who were asked to cast their vote during the annual ‘European Law Enforcement Communicators Conference’.
Her winning image shows a German Shepherd puppy and his handler from the Danish National Police training together in the snow. A frequent entrant in the competition, Connie also won the Public Vote in the 2023 edition of Europol’s photo competition.
The Public Vote was awarded to Sara Teixeira from Portugal with her portrait of a motorcycle officer of the Public Security Police giving a ride to a ‘Careto’, a traditional Portuguese figure that emerges during carnival. Her photograph received the most votes in the online ballot advertised on Europol’s social media channels, open to anyone who wanted to participate.
The three winners win a trip for two to the Netherlands, including a visit to Europol. Their images are also featured in the Europol 2025 calendar and will be used in other Europol publications.
