INTERPOL

Interpol full name is the International Criminal Police Organization and we are an inter-governmental organization. We have 194 member countries, and Interpol help police in all of them to work together to make the world a safer place.

To do this, we enable them to share and access data on crimes and criminals, and we offer a range of technical and operational support.

Interpol connect all our countries via a communications system called I-24/7. Countries use this secure network to contact each other, and the General Secretariat. It also allows them to access our databases and services in real-time, from both central and remote locations.

Interpol also coordinate networks of police and experts in different crime areas, who come together through working groups and at conferences to share experiences and ideas.

What Interpol do

The General Secretariat provides a range of expertise and services to our member countries. Interpol manage 18 police databases with information on crimes and criminals (from names and fingerprints to stolen passports), accessible in real-time to countries.

Interpol offer investigative support such as forensics, analysis, and assistance in locating fugitives around the world. Training is an important part of what Interpol do in many areas so that officials know how to work efficiently with our services.

This expertise supports national efforts in combating crimes across three global areas we consider the most pressing today; terrorism, cybercrime and organized crime.

Officials working in each specialized crime area run a variety of different activities alongside member countries. This can be investigative support, field operations, training and networking. Importantly, since crimes evolve, Interpol keep an eye on the future through research and development in international crime and trends

Today’s crimes are increasingly international. It is crucial that there is coordination among all the different players in maintaining a global security architecture.

Since INTERPOL is a global organization, it can provide this platform for cooperation; we enable police to work directly with their counterparts, even between countries which do not have diplomatic relations.

We also provide a voice for police on the world stage, engaging with governments at the highest level to encourage this cooperation and use of our services.

All our actions are politically neutral and taken within the limits of existing laws in different countries.