Policing Terrorist Financing

Terrorist crimes are currently a global issue, and international cooperation is required to combat them. The recommendations put forth by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) serve to aid worldwide counter-terrorism endeavours by causing disturbances in the financial flows of terrorist organisations. This study argues that the money-laundering management scheme inadequately incorporates the FATF recommendations on the criminalisation of terrorist financing. This study aims to assess whether the FATF’s suggestions regarding the criminalisation of terrorism financing will be implemented. The correlation between the motivations behind money laundering and the financing of terrorism is deemed to be problematic. Understanding the background of terrorism requires an examination of money laundering and terrorist financing crime. This study examines the characteristics of FATF Special Recommendation II in criminalising the financing of terrorism. The characteristic appears to be problematic due to its failure to align with the contextual underpinnings of the terrorism problem. Besides, the implementation of the recommendation by law enforcement may present challenges. This study concludes that effective counterterrorism requires a bottom-up approach combining policing and deradicalisation efforts, emphasising community engagement. The concept like Organisational Citizenship Behaviour highlights the importance of police officers’ voluntary engagement, empathy, and collaboration with communities to build trust and facilitate early intervention. Internalising these principles within policymaking is essential for sustainable and just counterterrorism strategies that protect vulnerable communities while preventing violence.