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Interpol

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Interpol, officially called the International Criminal Police Organization, is the largest international police organization in the world.

Map of the member states of Interpol, 2023
Map of the member states of Interpol, 2023

It does not act as a single police force with its own agents to make arrests. Instead, it serves as a global network that helps law enforcement agencies from different countries work together. This cooperation is vital because many modern crimes cross national borders. Interpol facilitates communication, shares expertise, and provides investigative support to its members.

ICPO-Interpol Lione
ICPO-Interpol Lione

Its main headquarters is located in Lyon, France.

The organization functions through a complex system of databases and communication tools. National police forces have their own data, but that information often stops at their own borders. Interpol bridges these gaps by maintaining massive criminal databases at its Lyon headquarters. These databases include fingerprints, facial photos, DNA samples, and lists of wanted persons. One specific database for lost or stolen travel documents contains over 12 million records.

ICPO-Interpol Lione
ICPO-Interpol Lione

To access this data, members use an encrypted internet network called I-24/7. This system allows for constant, secure contact between National Central Bureaus in all 196 member states.

Interpol uses specific tools called "notices" to alert the world about different types of criminal activity. There are seven standard types of notices, including Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Black, Orange, and Purple. A Red Notice is used to seek the location and arrest of persons wanted for prosecution.

Meng Hongwei
Meng Hongwei

Other notices serve different purposes, such as tracking missing persons or identifying criminals. Additionally, a special eighth type of notice can be issued at the request of the United Nations Security Council. In one period of operation, there were 62,448 valid Red notices and 12,234 Yellow notices in circulation.

The history of international policing began with small, unorganized efforts. In the 19th century, police cooperation was mostly temporary and focused on specific goals. Early attempts at permanent structures included the Police Union of German States in 1851 and an anti-anarchist conference in Rome in 1898. However, these did not create lasting global systems. The first major step toward modern cooperation was the 1914 International Criminal Police Congress in Monaco. This congress established twelve principles, such as creating international forensic standards and streamlining extradition processes.

Interpol's direct predecessor was founded on September 7, 1923, in Vienna. This group was called the International Criminal Police Commission, or ICPC. It was started by 22 delegates, including Johannes Schober, the President of the Viennese Police Department. Founding members included countries like Austria, China, Egypt, France, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

Map of the member states of Interpol, 2023
Map of the member states of Interpol, 2023

However, the organization faced a dark period during World War II. In 1938, the ICPC fell under Nazi control, and its headquarters eventually moved to Berlin. Many member states withdrew their support during this time.

After the war ended, the organization was revived as the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO). Officials from Belgium, France, Scandinavia, the United States, and the United Kingdom helped rebuild it. The headquarters moved from Paris to Saint-Cloud, and finally to Lyon in 1989. Today, the organization is governed by a General Assembly made up of all member countries. This assembly elects an executive committee and a president to manage policies.

Meng Hongwei
Meng Hongwei

The current president is Lucas Philippe of France, and the General Secretariat is led by Secretary-General Valdecy Urquiza.

Interpol's work is strictly defined by its charter to ensure it remains politically neutral. Article 3 of its constitution prohibits the organization from intervening in matters of a political, military, religious, or racial nature. This neutrality allows it to focus on transnational crimes like terrorism, cybercrime, and organized crime. It also addresses issues such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and intellectual property infringement. The organization operates in four official languages: Arabic, English, French, and Spanish. This structure allows it to serve as a stable, professional link between the world's many different legal systems.

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File:Map of the member states of Interpol, 2023.png
Map of the member states of Interpol, 2023.png
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