Interpol is the largest international police cooperation organization, with 195 member states. Its purpose is to facilitate collaboration among law enforcement agencies worldwide to combat transnational crime. Let’s see how it works and what its most important notices are.
What is Interpol and how does it operate?
Interpol is headquartered in Lyon, France, and coordinates the work of police forces from different countries through a network of National Central Bureaus (NCB). However, it does not have autonomous arrest powers but provides tools and databases for international cooperation.
Main functions of Interpol
- Facilitating the exchange of information among international police forces.
- Providing operational support in transnational investigations.
- Managing international notices to identify, locate, or monitor wanted individuals.
- Offering training and technical assistance to member states.
- Monitoring phenomena such as organized crime, terrorism, and human trafficking.
Types of Interpol Notices
Interpol’s notices, called “Notices,” are tools for cooperation among police authorities of various member states. They are classified by different colors, each with a specific function.
Red Notice – Search for Arrest and Extradition
The Red Notice is the most well-known and used. It serves to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition upon request from a member state.
Main characteristics:
- It is not an international arrest warrant but a request for cooperation.
- It can be public or restricted in Interpol’s database.
- The arrest depends on the laws of the country where the individual is located.
Other Interpol Notices
- Blue Notice: to collect information on an individual’s identity and movements.
- Green Notice: to warn about dangerous criminals or new methods of criminal activity.
- Yellow Notice: for the search of missing persons or those unable to identify themselves.
- Black Notice: for the identification of unknown deceased individuals.
- Orange Notice: to alert about threats to public safety, such as explosives or dangerous substances.
- Purple Notice: to share information on new criminal modus operandi, such as forgery techniques or cyberattacks.
Procedure for Issuing a Red Notice
The issuance of a Red Notice follows a rigorous process to ensure respect for human rights and international legality.
1. Request from the Member State
A country submits the request through its National Central Bureau (NCB). The application must include:
- A valid arrest warrant.
- Details of the charge and the expected penalty.
- Identifying information of the wanted individual.
2. Evaluation and Publication
Interpol’s General Secretariat, based in Lyon, verifies that the request complies with Interpol’s Statute and has no political, religious, or discriminatory motivations.
If approved, the Red Notice is published in Interpol’s database and can be consulted by member states.
3. Provisional Arrest and Extradition
Local authorities can arrest the individual only if there is an extradition treaty between the requesting and hosting countries.
Cancellation of a Red Notice
Interpol can refuse or revoke a Red Notice in the following cases:
- Violation of Interpol’s Statute, particularly Article 3, which prohibits requests with political, religious, or racial motivations.
- Lack of legal basis.
- Risk of human rights violations.
- Request for cancellation by the issuing state.
The body responsible for reviewing Red Notices is the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF).
Conclusion
Interpol represents a key element in international cooperation against crime, but its notices must always respect principles of legality and human rights protection. The Red Notice, in particular, is often at the center of controversies, as it is sometimes improperly used by some governments for political purposes.