HomeCan INTERPOL make arrests?
The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) is a cross-border organization that unites more than 196 countries to jointly combat crime. The main goal is to help states effectively cooperate in investigating and prosecuting crimes that cross national borders. However, the organization does not have law enforcement powers, such as the authority to make arrests.
Instead, Interpol acts as a liaison, providing informational support and coordination between national law enforcement authorities. This organization uses a notification system, for example, an Interpol Red Notice is used to alert countries about wanted persons. However, the final decision on detention always remains with the state on whose territory the suspect is located.
What is INTERPOL?
Interpol is a global organization that enhances international police cooperation among member countries to combat cross-border crimes together. Its main tasks are coordinating efforts to search for and apprehend suspects, exchanging information, and assisting in the investigation of international crimes.
Interpol headquarters are based in Lyon, France, but it doesn’t handle arrests or conduct its own investigations. However, it provides important support to national police forces and other investigative bodies to help them cooperate with each other.
To enhance global police cooperation in combating crimes, the organization uses an international notice system to transmit data about suspects and crimes. Among the main notifications are:
- A Red Notice requests law enforcement authorities in member nations to locate and provisionally arrest a wanted person sought for crimes pending extradition/ surrender or similar legal action. It is not an international arrest warrant issued by Interpol but contains information that helps member countries decide on actions regarding the suspect.
- A blue notice is a request for additional information about a person or their whereabouts if such data is missing.
- A green notice is a warning about criminal activity or a threat that a specific individual may pose to public safety.
- A yellow notice is a request for searching for missing persons, including minors, or for identifying individuals who cannot identify themselves.
- Black notifications seek information about unidentified bodies found in one of the member countries.
- An orange notification is a warning about an event, object, person, or process that poses an immediate threat to public safety.
- Purple Notice – used to describe the methods of operation of criminals, tools, or mechanisms they use to commit crimes.
These notifications help member nations cooperate effectively by exchanging operational information and facilitating the investigation of international crimes.
Where Does INTERPOL Have the Authority to Make Arrests?
Interpol does not have the legal authority to arrest people. Arrests are carried out only by the law enforcement agencies of member countries. If a country receives “red notice requests,” it can decide to arrest suspects on its territory. However, since an Interpol notice is advisory in nature, this remains at the discretion of the country.
Moreover, each country’s judicial authorities independently decide whether to accept or not accept “red notices” as a basis for arrest. Laws and procedures vary greatly across different countries. For example, in some countries, a judicial arrest warrant is required for an arrest, even if Interpol has been notified.
The main legal documents regulating Interpol’s activities are the Interpol Constitution and the Principles of International Cooperation in Criminal Matters, including the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters of 1959.
The list of countries where arrests based on red notices are possible includes most Interpol member states, such as:
Nevertheless, in each case, the decision on arrest is made by national authorities in accordance with local legislation.
Interpol supports interaction between countries, but its mandate is limited to coordination and information exchange. Actual arrests and prosecutions remain the responsibility of national authorities acting in accordance with their own laws.
Can INTERPOL arrest a specific individual?
Interpol does not have the authority to directly detain or arrest anyone. Its main task is the transmission of information and coordination of actions between member countries. If one of the countries receives a red notice, it independently decides whether to take action against the suspect. This notice represents a request for the search of a person, which can be used for their temporary detention. However, it does not obligate the country to take such measures.
Each state evaluates the necessity of arrest based on its internal legislation. For example, in some countries, red notice requests may serve as grounds for arrest only after obtaining authorization from a court or prosecutor. In other judicial jurisdictions, additional investigation may be required to confirm the grounds for detention. Thus, Interpol performs exclusively an intermediary function, expediting the exchange of information between law enforcement agencies of different countries.
Additionally, it should be noted that Interpol’s rules are strict to exclude interference in political, military, religious, or racial matters. This ensures that the international tribunal is used solely for facilitating global police cooperation in combating criminal offenses and not for persecution based on other motives.
An example from practice:
Interpol rejected Russia’s request for an international arrest warrant for Boris Mints and his sons in 2021. According to a representative of the Mints family, Interpol rejected Russia’s request on the grounds that the charges against the Mints did not meet the criteria for issuing an international warrant. This decision underscores that Interpol operates under strict procedures and does not issue red notices without sufficient grounds.
Which Countries are Members of INTERPOL?
The international criminal police organization includes more than 196 member countries, making it one of the largest international organizations in the world. These countries represent all continents, enabling international police cooperation in combating crime. The headquarters is located in France, and each country maintains contact through a National Central Bureau, which connects local law enforcement agencies with the international network.
Among the participating countries, such states as the USA, the United Kingdom, China, Russia, India, France, Germany, Canada, Brazil, and Australia can be highlighted. These member nations play a key role in the organization’s work due to their developed law enforcement systems and active cooperation with other Interpol members. Each bureau operates in accordance with national laws, ensuring communication with the international community and prompt information exchange.
What types of crimes does INTERPOL handle?
Interpol works with a wide variety of crimes that have an international nature. Among them are crimes related to human trafficking, drugs, and weapons. As such, Interpol target specific individuals who are actively involved in cases of cybercrime, financial fraud, and money laundering. Combating terrorism holds a key place in Interpol’s work, as many terrorist networks operate on an international level. Interpol coordinates investigations related to kidnappings, disappearances of people, and organized crime.
The organization also pays great attention to the protection of cultural heritage, assisting in the investigation of cases of illegal trade in works of art and antiques. In recent years, Interpol’s work has expanded to include efforts to combat environmental crimes, such as illegal logging, poaching, and trafficking in rare species of animals and plants.
In addition, Interpol is actively involved in investigations related to human rights violations, including violence, torture, and forced labor, especially in conflict zones. Investigations concerning violations in the healthcare sector have also become relevant, such as fraud with medical goods and counterfeit medicines during pandemics.
Can INTERPOL make arrests in Germany?
Interpol does not have the authority to make arrests in Germany. However, German law enforcement agencies can act based on a red notice if it complies with their judicial legislation. The decision to arrest is always made by the national police forces or a court.
Can INTERPOL make arrests in UK?
In the United Kingdom, Interpol does not have the authority to make arrests. Local law enforcement agencies may consider a red notice as grounds for detention, but an arrest is only possible in compliance with British laws. Additional verification or a court decision is often required.
Can INTERPOL make arrests in USA?
In the USA, Interpol also does not have the authority to make arrests. American authorities can use a red notice as an informational resource. However, an arrest is only possible in compliance with US laws and following the appropriate decision by law enforcement agencies.
