INTERPOL, short for the International Criminal Police Organization, is not a police force in itself. Rather, it is a global support network that connects national law enforcement agencies across 196 member countries. The role of INTERPOL is often misunderstood — especially its coordination with national police. Contrary to popular belief, INTERPOL cannot arrest anyone or intervene in national legal processes. Instead, it provides essential tools and infrastructure to facilitate cross-border cooperation, criminal intelligence sharing, and enforcement of international alerts such as Red Notices.
This guide explores how INTERPOL works with national police forces, the legal framework governing their cooperation, and the operational mechanisms used in criminal investigations and transnational enforcement. It also outlines how national sovereignty, due process, and human rights principles shape this relationship.
1. What is INTERPOL’s Role in International Policing?
INTERPOL acts as a liaison platform, not an executive body. It helps national police collaborate internationally through:
- Notices system (Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, etc.)
- I-24/7 secure global police communications network
- Databases of wanted persons, stolen assets, fingerprints, and biometric data
- Specialized task forces (e.g., counter-terrorism, human trafficking, cybercrime)
- Operational support during emergencies or complex investigations
However, every action INTERPOL supports is implemented by the national police, under their country’s legal system. INTERPOL neither arrests nor prosecutes—it enables countries to do so cooperatively.
2. National Central Bureaus (NCBs): The Link Between INTERPOL and National Police
Every INTERPOL member state designates a National Central Bureau (NCB) — the official body that communicates with INTERPOL Headquarters in Lyon, France.
NCBs are typically embedded within each country’s federal or national police agency. For instance:
- In Pakistan, the NCB operates under the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)
- In the United States, it’s housed within the Department of Justice (USNCB)
- In the UK, it falls under the National Crime Agency (NCA)
NCBs act as gatekeepers, responsible for:
- Submitting and receiving INTERPOL Notices
- Validating foreign requests before sharing them with domestic agencies
- Ensuring compliance with local laws before taking action
So while INTERPOL is global, national police retain full control over arrests and investigations.
3. Legal Framework Governing INTERPOL & National Police Cooperation
The cooperation between INTERPOL and national police is guided by a blend of:
A. INTERPOL’s Constitution and Rules
- INTERPOL must operate in line with international law and avoid activities of a political, military, racial, or religious nature (Article 3 of the INTERPOL Constitution).
- All actions must comply with INTERPOL’s Rules on the Processing of Data (RPD) and Statute of the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF).
B. Domestic Legal Authority
National police must always act within the bounds of their country’s laws, especially regarding:
- Arrest procedures
- Extradition requests
- Due process rights
- Data protection and privacy laws
- Judicial oversight
Even if INTERPOL issues a Red Notice, no country is obligated to arrest the individual unless its laws allow it.
C. International Agreements
- Bilateral and multilateral treaties, including extradition treaties, shape how INTERPOL alerts are acted upon.
- Countries bound by human rights treaties (e.g., ECHR, ICCPR) must also ensure that INTERPOL-based actions don’t result in arbitrary detention, torture, or unfair trials.
4. How Do National Police Use INTERPOL Notices in Practice?
A. Receiving and Validating a Notice
When INTERPOL issues a Red Notice or other alert, it goes to the NCB, which:
- Verifies its legitimacy
- Assesses compatibility with national laws
- Forwards it to local police if appropriate
B. Monitoring Entry and Exit Points
National police integrate INTERPOL alerts into border security systems:
- Airports, seaports, and land crossings scan traveler databases
- If a person flagged by INTERPOL enters, immigration or border police may detain or question them
- Detention is subject to judicial approval, especially in democratic jurisdictions
C. Initiating Investigations or Surveillance
In some cases, a Red Notice may trigger:
- Surveillance or monitoring
- Local investigations
- Coordination with prosecutors or courts for formal proceedings
D. Arrest and Extradition
If permitted by law:
- The national police may provisionally arrest the person
- Then, judicial authorities decide whether extradition proceedings should begin
- INTERPOL has no role in the extradition trial — this is entirely within the country’s judiciary
5. Case Examples of INTERPOL-National Police Cooperation
✦ Example 1: United Kingdom
In 2024, UK police detained an individual wanted in Turkey based on a Red Notice. However, the arrest was challenged due to human rights risks in the Turkish legal system. British courts eventually denied extradition.
Lesson: INTERPOL’s involvement does not override a country’s judicial independence.
✦ Example 2: UAE and Pakistan
INTERPOL Red Notices have been used to flag Pakistani fugitives in Dubai. The UAE police often detain individuals and notify Pakistan’s NCB for possible extradition. But without a treaty or due judicial process, deportation cannot occur arbitrarily.
✦ Example 3: Germany
German police actively check INTERPOL databases at borders and train officers on identifying misuse of Red Notices, particularly from authoritarian regimes. Arrests based on INTERPOL alerts are subject to constitutional court review.
6. INTERPOL’s Tools for National Police
INTERPOL equips national law enforcement with tools like:
A. I-24/7 Global Network
- Secure encrypted communication between NCBs
- Enables real-time alerts, document exchange, and investigative collaboration
B. Databases and Criminal Profiles
- Includes:
- Stolen/lost passports
- Fingerprint and DNA databases
- Child sexual abuse imagery
- Weapons and explosives tracking
Police can query INTERPOL databases directly to link suspects with crimes across borders.
C. Mobile INTERPOL Units
In high-profile cases or mass emergencies (e.g., terror attacks, natural disasters), INTERPOL may deploy teams to assist local police with:
- Forensics
- Identification of victims
- Cross-border investigations
7. Oversight, Accountability & Human Rights
While INTERPOL enhances policing capabilities, its tools can be misused for political or retaliatory purposes.
To counter this, safeguards include:
A. Review by the CCF
- The Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) can delete unjust notices, especially if based on flawed or politically motivated data.
B. Independent Courts and Appeals
- Even if police act on a Red Notice, courts can intervene to prevent violations of:
- Refugee rights
- Political asylum protections
- Protection from torture or unfair trials
C. INTERPOL’s Commitment to Reform
- Since 2016, INTERPOL has introduced stronger data filtering, human rights screening, and mechanisms to suspend controversial notices.
Still, national police agencies bear the final responsibility for lawful implementation.
8. Challenges in Coordination Between INTERPOL and National Police
Despite its global reach, several issues limit effective cooperation:
- Legal inconsistencies between countries
- Delays in judicial review or extradition proceedings
- Technical limitations in syncing INTERPOL data with national systems
- Corruption or abuse by national authorities exploiting INTERPOL mechanisms
- Lack of awareness among local officers on INTERPOL processes
Training, modernization, and legal reform remain key to improving these links.
9. Best Practices for National Police Working with INTERPOL
- Ensure legality and judicial review before arresting anyone on an INTERPOL alert
- Avoid acting on notices from countries with known human rights abuses without independent review
- Educate officers on the limitations of INTERPOL’s authority
- Protect individuals’ rights to seek asylum or challenge notices
- Maintain records and transparency to support legal defenses and appeals
Conclusion
INTERPOL does not replace national police — it empowers them to work more effectively across borders. From border alerts to extradition proceedings, every step requires national implementation in compliance with domestic laws and international standards.
Understanding how INTERPOL works with national police helps demystify its role and ensures that the global fight against crime doesn’t trample on justice or human rights.
In 2025 and beyond, transparent cooperation, legal safeguards, and accountability mechanisms are more important than ever to ensure INTERPOL serves justice — not politics.