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S&T wins important EU-funded project in Poland: Border Control System for a safer Europe

The Polish Border Guard, founded by an Act of Parliament in 1990, regulates trade and traffic across Poland's 3,500-km long borders, protecting the nation against illegal immigration and smuggling. Poland has borders with seven countries and approximately 300 border crossing points. When Poland joined the European Union (EU) in 2004, the Polish Border Guard assumed new, enhanced responsibilities, including monitoring and protecting the eastern EU border.

The Border Control System project is being realized with Schengen funds and is a crucial element for Poland to join the Schengen Information System (SIS) as required by the Schengen Treaty.

What is SIS?

The Schengen Information System (SIS) enables information concerning people and objects to be shared between police forces, immigration authorities and customs' services in the member countries. Data registered in SIS includes, for example, information concerning individuals who are to be denied entry to any of the Schengen countries, wanted persons (extradition requests), people who need police protection, witnesses testifying at court as well as those subject to covert surveillance.

SIS also collects data concerning objects that could be used as evidence in criminal proceedings as well as details of stolen vehicles, stolen or missing weapons, personnel identification documents and in blanco versions of those documents as well as bank-note serial numbers. Information from SIS can be accessed at checkpoints on the external borders of the Schengen area.