News

As Europe continues to recalibrate its internal security models, review, and analysis of experiences in different countries serve to better understand the potential approaches and solutions to meet necessary legal innovation, institutional reform, and a principled commitment to safeguarding the public good. The 25th issue of academic journal Security Spectrum: Journal of Advanced Security Research bears the subtitle “Pro bono publico – for the public good and benefit” as it is dedicated to the Estonian Law Enforcement Act (LEA) and its significance for the rule of law and society. The Latin phrase pro bono publico underscores that law enforcement does not operate as an autonomous force of power but rather exists in the service of society – for the common good, and for the protection of citizens’ safety and freedoms. This foundational principle is also reflected in the core tenets of the LEA, which entered into force in 2014 and is examined from multiple perspectives in the articles of this issue.

The Estonian experience demonstrates that the Law Enforcement Act is essential for ensuring legal clarity, the proportional exercise of state power, and societal stability. It provides the police and other law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools to act effectively while upholding fundamental human rights. For the international reader, Estonia offers an illustrative example of how a small state can develop a transparent and trustworthy law enforcement system—one that places the individual and the public good at its core.