NCJ Number
177452
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 47 Issue: 3 Dated: March 1999 Pages: 33-36
Date Published
1999
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the history and describes the services of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to its member countries.
Abstract
INTERPOL was founded in 1923 to facilitate the apprehension of fugitives who cross national borders to elude police in the countries where their crimes were committed. Over the years INTERPOL has evolved and grown, but it still holds to the basic tenets of facilitating communication and cooperation among police in criminal investigations. It avoids involvement in matters of a racial, political, religious, or military nature. INTERPOL now uses advanced communications tools, such as computer networks, dedicated radio systems, and faxes to accomplish its mission. Its proprietary telecommunications system facilitates virtually immediate dissemination of investigative information between two countries, groups of countries, or all member nations and INTERPOL headquarters. INTERPOL headquarters, known as the General Secretariat, is in Lyons, France. Its basic operating offices are located in each member nation known as the National Central Bureau. The United States National Central Bureau is in Washington, D.C., and is operated under the authority of the Attorney General by a partnership of the Departments of Justice and Treasury. This article presents some actual cases to show how INTERPOL operates, and it outlines the procedure a local law enforcement agency should follow in accessing the services of INTERPOL when it is believed a suspect may have fled the country.