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INTERPOL - Global Help in Fight Against Drugs, Terrorists, and Counterfeiters

NCJ Number
98902
Author(s)
M Fooner
Date Published
1985
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This description of the organization and services of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) focuses on the role of the United States in increasing INTERPOL's efforts against terrorism, drug trafficking, and counterfeiting.
Abstract
INTERPOL has a Police Coordination Division, which manages police cooperation among countries; an Administrative Division, which operates the telecommunications systems; and the Research Division, which collects and analyzes crime information of interest to INTERPOL members. National Central Bureaus in each member country are the contact points for coordinating international criminal investigations. The U.S. bureau, one of the largest and most active of the bureaus, is a separate agency within the U.S. Department of Justice. The U.S. bureau can identify and obtain foreign assistance for virtually any investigative problem confronted by any law jurisdiction. This is often done through INTERPOL's interrelated electronic and computerized communications system spread across the United States and around the world. In 1980, the U.S. delegation to INTERPOL began a series of initiatives to encourage INTERPOL's more aggressive efforts against international terrorism and illicit drug trafficking. As a result, INTERPOL has adopted an antiterrorist program, a program to counter money laundering and electronic funds transfer fraud, and a counterfeit financial instruments program. A case study illustrates how INTERPOL works, and instructions are provided for contacting INTERPOL.