Eva Wildi-Cortés becomes the new head of the Federal Office of Police
Published: Wednesday, Nov 20th 2024, 17:20
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Eva Wildi-Cortés will be the new head of the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol) from February 1, 2025. The Federal Council has appointed her as the successor to the outgoing Director of the Office, Nicoletta della Valle. Wildi-Cortés will now be responsible for leading the office in times of scarce resources and increasing tasks.
Wildi-Cortés is 49 years old and has been Deputy Director of Fedpol and Head of the Resource Management and Strategy Directorate since June 2016. She has held various positions at Fedpol since 2002. The mother of three has a master's degree in economics and political science.
Wildi-Cortés played a central role as deputy overall project manager in the review of the internal security system (Usis) from 2002 to 2004. In addition to her work at Fedpol, she represented the Federal Office on the Police Training Commission of the Conference of Cantonal Justice and Police Directors (KKJPD).
"The right person for the key position"
Wildi-Cortés knows Fedpol better than almost anyone else, Justice Minister Beat Jans told the media in Bern on Wednesday. "I am convinced that she is the right person for this key position." Her track record, her references and also her personality speak for her.
Switzerland is confronted with threats and security is not a given, emphasized Jans. Fedpol was facing major challenges. He would like to see decisive action against organized crime, be it arms and drug trafficking, money laundering or human trafficking.
According to Jans, the terrorist threat has become more acute - not least because younger and younger people are becoming radicalized. "We have to take this seriously," said the Minister of Justice. Prevention is the best antidote.
"My passion"
In Jans' words, Fedpol's cooperation with the cantons and at international level must "improve even more". This cooperation is very important to her, emphasized the future director of Fedpol. The Federal Office needs sustainable partnerships for its tasks.
"Internal security is my passion, and I have remained true to it," said Wildi-Cortés, looking back on her career, which she has spent almost entirely in the security landscape. In over twenty years at Fedpol, she has built up a broad knowledge base and a network.
She sees Fedpol caught between resources, pressure to save money and increasing tasks. It is important to set priorities and be flexible. The demands on the police are increasing, said Jans. "The resources will not increase as much as the demand." The new head of Fedpol will have to make do with what is available.
Severance pay gave rise to discussion
Della Valle will step down on January 31, 2025, after more than ten years in office. She has recently appeared in the media mainly in connection with the fight against the mafia. In an interview in April, she said that current police resources were not sufficient to fight organized crime effectively.
della Valle's severance pay has also recently been the subject of discussion. She will receive a severance payment of around CHF 340,000 following the termination of her employment contract by mutual agreement, as confirmed by the Federal Council in the National Council.
However, a ban is now on the table. The Council of States and the responsible National Council committee have agreed in principle to a ban. A corresponding amendment to the law is now being drafted.
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