Interpol

:This article is about the International Criminal Police Organization. For the indie rock band, see Interpol (band).

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Interpol, more correctly the International Criminal Police Organization – Interpol (ICPO-Interpol), was created in 1923 to assist international criminal police co-operation. Interpol, once merely the organization's telegraphic address, was officially incorporated into the organization's new name adopted in 1956, prior to which it was known as the International Criminal Police Commission.

Related Topics:
1923 - 1956

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Interpol is the world's second largest international organization, after the United Nations; it currently has 184 member countries. It is financed by annual contributions from its member countries, which total about EUR 30 million; however, Europol receives ?50 million annually. The Organization is headquartered in Lyon, France. The currently serving President of Interpol is Mr. Jackie Selebi, Commissioner of the South African Police. The current Secretary General, Ronald K. Noble, formerly of the US Treasury Department, is the first non-European to hold the position.

Related Topics:
International organization - United Nations - EUR - Europol - Lyon - France - Jackie Selebi - Ronald K. Noble - US Treasury Department

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Because of the politically neutral role Interpol must play, its Constitution forbids any involvement in crimes that do not overlap several member countries, or any political, military, religious, or racial crimes. Its work centers primarily on public safety and terrorism, organized crime, illicit drug production and drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, trafficking in human beings, money laundering, child pornography, financial and high-tech crime, and corruption.

Related Topics:
Terrorism - Organized crime - Illicit drug production - Drug trafficking - Weapons smuggling - Trafficking in human beings - Money laundering - Child pornography - Corruption

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In October 2001, the Interpol General Secretariat employed a staff of 384, representing 54 different countries. That same month, Interpol began to change from a 9-to-5 agency to a 24-hour agency, making its work easier and more efficient.

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In 2001, some 1,400 people were arrested or located as a result of Interpol notices.

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