The International Criminal Police Organization INTERPOL

INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization. Through its reach it helps facilitate worldwide police cooperation and crime control. With 196 member states, Interpol’s worldwide reach allows it to provide investigative support, expertise and training. Its main areas of focus of transnational crime are terrorism, cybercrime and organized crime. However, Interpol maintains a very large mandate which covers almost every kind of crime, including crimes against humanity, drug trafficking and production, and political corruption.

Topic A: Red Notice Reform
Due to its scope, Interpol relies and manages worldwide criminal databases and communications networks. However, in recent years, Interpol has faced sharp criticisms surrounding policies around these systems, specifically the Red Notice System. The Red Notice System works by issuing arrest alerts to all nations within the Interpol network. However, these notices are not subject to institutional oversight and sometimes are not separately reviewed by Interpol staff. This resulted in the abuse of this system and certain governments issuing mass amounts of red alerts and abusing Interpol’s system. Many of these red alerts were issued against political dissidents who were outside of the jurisdiction of autocratic governments they criticized. This system and a similarly functioning Blue Notice System need to be reformed in order to ensure the integrity of this organization.

Topic B: Combatting the “Globalization” of Cyber Crime
In recent years, there has been a massive increase in the “globalization” of crime. This globalized crime ranges from human trafficking to financial crimes but has been largely centered around the growing problem of the rise of “global” cyber crimes. Interpol’s ability to have influence in its 196 member countries places it in a unique position to be on the frontline of this global fight. It is up to Interpol and its delegates to develop innovative means to fight and collaborate against this rising global threat.