INTERPOL AND EUROPOL

The idea of INTERPOL was born in 1914 at the first International Criminal Police Congress, held in Monaco. Officially created in 1923 as the International Criminal Police Commission, the Organization became known as INTERPOL in 1956.

The chief function of Interpol is to facilitate the cooperation among other international police organizations. As the European Union’s law enforcement agency, Europol’s mission is to support its Member States in preventing and combating all forms of serious international crime and terrorism.

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.

The Interpol officials have the right and the power to conduct investigations and also make arrests of the suspects in connection with the crimes committed in the areas of money laundering, terrorism, genocide and the like. On the other hand, the officials of Europol are not authorized to conduct investigations and question the suspects in connection with the various crimes. In other words it can be said that Europol is not entitled to make arrests of the suspects in relation to the various crimes across the continent of Europe. All they can do is extend their support to the other intelligence agencies in the member countries where crimes of different kinds are committed.

Interpol is a very large organization when compared to the intelligence agency of Europol. With 190 member countries, it is the second largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations by member states. It promotes mutual assistance among all police authorities within the limits of the law existing in the different countries.

The Interpol has its headquarters at Quai Charles de Gaulle in Lyon, France. It is true that its official website has a record number of page views every month. 

TRUE OR FALSE?

1. Interpol officers travel around the world investigating crimes.