INTERPOL and EUROPOL
If the United States wants to prosecute a person for a crime, it must first be able to find that person.
Interpol exists to coordinate international police-to-police communication by creating channels of communication and maintaining a massive centralized records system. The mission of Interpol, in its own words is: "To be the world's pre-eminent police organization in support of all organizations, authorities and services whose mission is preventing, detecting, and suppressing crimes."
Contrary to popular belief, Interpol officers do not travel around the world investigating cases in different countries. Each member country employs its own law enforcement officers to investigate criminal activity in accordance with its own national laws. Interpol's U.S. office is located on the top floor in the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. It reports directly to the Deputy Attorney General. Much of its staff is comprised of investigative agents and support personnel assigned to it by all of the major federal law enforcement agencies.
Interpol uses a system of color coded notices, the Red Notice being the most well known. A Red Notice acts as an "all points bulletin" putting all 188 member countries on notice that there is an outstanding arrest warrant for a particular individual out of a member country. More.
Building on the model of Interpol, but feeling critical of what they considered to be Interpol's failings, the European Community created its own regional, supranational police force, Europol, in 1994.
The mission of Europol, in its own words, is "to make a significant contribution to the European Union's law enforcement action against organized crime and terrorism including targeting criminal organizations." Like Interpol, it is not an international FBI. Europol officials are not allowed to conduct investigations or arrest suspects. But the depth of Europol's integration, including communication between not just police officers but also support staff makes Europol an effective crime-fighting tool for the member states of the EU. Moreover, Interpol and Europol have signed an agreement that would enhance the effectiveness of cross-border communication between police agencies.
For additional information please contact us.