Legal Definitions - Interpol

Interpol, which stands for the International Criminal Police Organization, is a global organization that facilitates cooperation among national police forces worldwide. Its primary role is to enable police in different countries to work together more effectively to prevent and combat international crime. Interpol achieves this by providing secure communication channels, analytical support, and access to databases of criminals and criminal activities, helping member countries share critical information and coordinate investigations across borders. It does not have its own police force or powers of arrest; instead, it supports and assists national law enforcement agencies in their efforts.

Here are some examples of how Interpol operates:

• Example 1: Apprehending an International Fugitive
  A high-profile individual commits a large-scale financial fraud in Canada and then flees to a country in South America to evade prosecution. The Canadian authorities issue an international arrest warrant for the individual. Through Interpol, Canada can issue a "Red Notice," which is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition. Police in the South American country, upon identifying the fugitive based on the Interpol notice, would apprehend them, initiating the legal process for their return to Canada to face charges.

• Example 2: Combating Transnational Cybercrime
  A sophisticated group of hackers, operating from various countries, launches a series of ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure in several European nations. Each affected country's national cybercrime unit begins its own investigation. Interpol would step in to provide a secure platform for these national units to share intelligence, forensic data, and identify common patterns or tools used by the attackers. This coordinated information exchange, facilitated by Interpol's expertise and communication systems, helps piece together a global picture of the criminal network, leading to synchronized arrests and the disruption of the cybercrime operation across multiple borders.

• Example 3: Disrupting an International Human Trafficking Ring
  Police in three different countries—one in Southeast Asia, one in the Middle East, and one in Western Europe—each uncover evidence of a human trafficking ring exploiting vulnerable individuals. While their individual investigations might be limited to their national borders, Interpol would coordinate a joint operation. By sharing intelligence on the traffickers' routes, methods, and key members through Interpol's secure channels and databases, the police forces can identify the full scope of the criminal enterprise, leading to simultaneous raids, arrests of traffickers in multiple jurisdictions, and the rescue of victims.