NCJ Number
213772
Date Published
2005
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This chapter describes the law enforcement support services offered by Interpol to its 182 member countries.
Abstract
Interpol, an international police support organization, is the most comprehensive tool that has been developed to offer a rapid, coordinated, and full response to the threat posed by transnational organized crime and terrorism. Over the past 4 years, Interpol has reinvented itself to focus on services in three key areas: (1) I-24/7, a global police communications network; (2) databases to provide valuable law enforcement support; and (3) operational police support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in four languages. The I-24/7 global police communications network makes it possible for law enforcement officials from the 182 member countries to securely communicate with one another, a prerequisite for true international cooperation. Interpol’s many databases also help law enforcement agencies communicate with one another in the form of data stored in an accessible location. Interpol’s fleet of databases includes the nominals database, the stolen travel documents database, the stolen motor vehicle database, the DNA database, and the fingerprints database. Progress towards operational police support has also been realized by Interpol in terms of the creation of a Command and Co-ordination Centre that offers real-time response to urgent requests by member countries, coordinates the exchange of information, and assumes crisis management features. Interpol also created the “orange notice” that alerts security at airports or other locations to the circulation or dissimulation of disguised or hidden weapons. The author notes that Interpol is committed to ensuring that countries with the least means to fight international crime are supported and trained in fully utilizing Interpol’s assistance and resources.