Editors --- "Interpol grows towards the next millennium" [1999] AUFPPlatypus 17; (1999) 63 Platypus: Journal of the Australian Federal Police, Article 9

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Interpol grows towards the next millennium

The concept of a central point which could facilitate the liaison and cooperation of law enforcement organisations around the world was probably first mooted in 1914 when police officers from 14 European countries met in Monte Carlo, Monaco, to discuss currency counterfeiting and other law enforcement issues.

Among their talks were the problems encountered when trying to track crime through different countries and the accompanying constraints such as the limitations imposed by foreign laws, regulations, and sovereignty issues, and the impracticalities of pursuing some investigations because of geographical distance.

But the idea was not realised until 1923 when an Austrian police chief gathered delegates together in Vienna to form the International Police Commission, later renamed Interpol.

The organisation is now made up of 177 member countries, each with a National Central Bureau, and all linked to the Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France.

Interpol does not have its own police powers nor its own independent officers but rather, is staffed by officers and agents of its member nations who are bound by their own national laws and regulations.

Its investigations are undertaken through requests for assistance from the recognised law enforcement authorities of its member nations.

Australia became a member country of Interpol in 1948, and continues to represent all Australian law enforcement agencies and other government agencies having an investigative function to the international police community.

Activities conducted through the Interpol network range from humanitarian assistance (sudden death notifications and missing person enquiries), international police enquiries within the full range of police activity (including obtaining police and witness statements), to the provision of statistics, strategic and tactical criminal intelligence gathering and reporting, the monitoring of international law enforcement conferences and workshops, and researching and reporting on changes to criminal legislation and government policy.

Interpol National Central Bureaus act as the coordination and monitoring point for government in cases of international extradition and formal and informal mutual assistance in criminal matters requests, and are well placed to offer or gain access to advice on procedures.

Interpol helps obtain information rapidly and has a secure communication network which links the National Central Bureau of member countries with each other and with the headquarters in Lyon.

The ability to obtain information readily is being enhanced through Interpol's international modernisation program, assisting under-developed member countries in enhancing secure communication and information management technology.

The communication system can broadcast law enforcement messages around the world to notify other countries about fugitives, missing persons, illegal immigration, illegal drug activity and up-to-date criminal trends, and uses a system of notices to identify the type of alert being issued.

Sophisticated databases maintain information about people linked to international crime, as well as counterfeit currency, illicit drugs, money laundering, and stolen works of art, as well as holding photographs and fingerprints which can be readily transmitted (electronically in some cases) through the international network.

Interpol does not become involved in matters which are of a political, military, religious or racial nature, but will assist in investigations of terrorism.