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How does Interpol help police agencies in different countries share criminal information?
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Officers of the French National Police patrolling a housing project.
Interpol facilitates international police cooperation primarily through its network of National Central Bureaus (NCBs). Each of the more than 180 member countries maintains an NCB, which serves as a domestic clearinghouse for communicating criminal intelligence with the General Secretariat and other member nations.12
To support this exchange, Interpol utilizes several key tools and systems:
- I-24/7 Network: This secure telecommunications system provides NCBs with rapid access to a vast database of international police intelligence, including DNA records, fingerprints, and watch lists of wanted persons.1
- Automated Databases: Specially equipped NCBs can perform automatic searches across Interpol’s records, receiving results in their preferred language.1
- Notice System: Interpol issues various "coloured" notices to share critical information globally. For example, "red notices" are used to request the arrest and extradition of suspects, while "green notices" warn agencies about criminals likely to reoffend in other jurisdictions.1
By centralizing this data, Interpol enables police agencies to track international criminal activity—such as organized crime, money laundering, and terrorism—while operating within the framework of national laws.12