No entity owns INTERPOL. It is an intergovernmental body, comprising 195 member countries. INTERPOL helps local police in all member countries work together to make the world safer.
To do this, INTERPOL enables the local police to share and access data on crimes and wanted persons. Additionally, it offers a wide range of technical and operational support to make this a success.
Who Makes up INTERPOL?
INTERPOL is run by a secretary general and supervises staff, both police and civilians. The General Secretariat manages the day-to-day activities in INTERPOL to fight the crimes. The headquarters of INTERPOL is in Lyon, France. Additionally, INTERPOL has a global complex in Singapore and many satellite offices in different regions.
In each member country, INTERPOL has a National Central Bureau (NCB), which provides a central point for other NCBs and the General Secretariat. National police officials manage each NCB. The General Assembly governs INTERPOL, and every year holds a meeting for all member countries to vote on activities and policies.
What Happens in the General Assembly?
The General Assembly comprises representatives from each of the member countries. The meeting takes place annually, with each session lasting about four days. The representatives are usually chiefs of police and officials in senior ministries.
The purpose of the General Assembly is to ensure that INTERPOL’s activities align with the needs of the member countries. In addition, they also elect members of the Executive Committee. The committee’s role is to provide guidance and direction between sessions of the General Assembly. Each year, the Assembly discusses the major crime trends and the world’s security threats.
What does the Executive Committee do?
The Executive Committee members have many years of experience and knowledge that help advise and guide INTERPOL. It meets three times a year. The executive committee roles include:
- Overseeing the enactment of decisions made by the General Assembly;
- Preparation of the agendas for the General Assembly sessions;
- Submission of any relevant project to the General Assembly;
- Supervision of administration and work of the Secretary-General.
The Executive Committee comprised 13 members, including the President of INTERPOL, 2 Vice Presidents, and 9 delegates. These committee members are from different countries, and geographical distribution is well balanced.
What are the Roles of the President of INTERPOL?
The current President is Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi from the United Arab Emirates. The General Assembly elects the INTERPOL President for a term of four years. INTERPOL’s constitution outlines the roles of the President as follows:
- Preside meetings of both the General Assembly and Executive Committee and direct discussions.
- Ensure that all INTERPOL’s activities align with the decisions made in the General assembly and Executive committee.
- Maintain direct and constant contact with the Secretary-General.
It is important to note that the role of the President is part-time and unpaid. However, the President retains their full-time post within their nations.
Conclusion
No one can claim to own INTERPOL. It is an intergovernmental body that comprises 195 member states. The body has several governance ranks, led by the President.
