HOCHSCHULE FUR DEN OFFENTLICHEN DIENST IN BAYERN

Their core work

Bavaria's university for public administration and police training, BayHföD brings the law enforcement end-user perspective into EU security research. They serve as the practitioner voice in projects developing tools for crime prevention, counter-terrorism, digital forensics, and intelligence analysis. Their contribution typically centers on defining operational requirements, testing prototypes in realistic policing scenarios, and ensuring that new technologies actually work for the officers who will use them. With 23 H2020 security projects, they are one of Germany's most active LEA-affiliated research partners in the EU security domain.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2015–2018), BayHföD focused on foundational security challenges: cybercrime tools (malware analysis, ransomware in RAMSES), crowd security (LETS-CROWD), and counter-terrorism intelligence (TENSOR, MINDb4ACT). From 2019 onward, their work shifted decisively toward advanced operational technologies — computer vision, augmented reality, autonomous sensor systems, and blockchain-based evidence chains (CREST, DARLENE, INFINITY, LOCARD). Most recently (2021+), a new thread emerged around responsible AI and the societal dimensions of security, visible in popAI's focus on AI ethics for law enforcement and CORE's work on risk perception and resilient society.

Moving from pure crime-fighting technology toward responsible, human-centered AI tools for law enforcement — a partner well-positioned for future calls on trustworthy security AI.

How they like to work

BayHföD operates almost exclusively as a consortium partner (22 of 23 projects), which is typical for end-user organizations that provide operational expertise rather than leading technical development. Their single coordinator role (PROPHETS) shows they can lead when the topic aligns with their core mission. With 282 unique partners across 39 countries, they are a highly networked hub — a signal that many different research groups seek them out as a credible LEA voice for their proposals.

Exceptionally broad network of 282 unique partners spanning 39 countries, making them one of the best-connected law enforcement training institutions in EU security research. Their partnerships span police forces, universities, defense companies, and technology SMEs across all of Europe and beyond.

What sets them apart

BayHföD occupies a rare niche: a public-sector police training university that actively participates in research. Unlike academic partners who study security theoretically, or tech companies building tools in isolation, BayHföD bridges the gap by representing actual law enforcement needs inside consortia. For any consortium needing a credible German LEA end-user partner — especially one with experience across cybercrime, counter-terrorism, and emerging technologies — they are a proven, reliable choice with an unmatched track record of 23 security projects.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PROPHETS
  Their only coordinator role (EUR 483K) — focused on preventing online radicalization, demonstrating leadership capacity on a topic central to their mission.
• CC-DRIVER
  Largest participant funding (EUR 467K), addressing the root drivers of cybercriminality including juvenile cybercrime — a topic with growing policy relevance.
• DARLENE
  Represents their forward-looking work on augmented reality glasses and 5G for frontline policing — where law enforcement technology is heading next.