INTERPOL-GA: All you need to know about World's largest international police organisation

INTERPOL-GA: The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) is the world’s largest international police organisation. It is an inter-governmental organisation with 195 member countries including India. By enabling the police to share and access information on crimes and offenders, as well as by providing technical and operational support, the organisation contributes to make the world a safer place.

This organisation has its headquarter in Lyon, France, as well as a global complex for innovation in Singapore and a number of satellite offices across the world.

Why in news: The General Assembly for its 90th session started today in New Delhi. The governing body, known as the General Assembly, or GA, convenes every year.

Significance: INTERPOL was founded in 1923 to facilitate inter-jurisdictional or cross-border police collaboration. It also supports and aids all agencies, authorities, and services whose goal is to deter or combat international crime.

The scope of today's crimes is expanding globally and to sustain a global security architecture, cooperation between each of the various players is essential. Thus, this organisation serves as a global forum for collaboration between nations without diplomatic ties, allowing police to communicate openly with their counterparts.

By interacting with governments at the highest level to promote cooperation and use the platform for coordination, it gives police a voice on the international arena.

What it does: All of INTERPOL's actions are primarily based on the three primary tasks listed below:

1. Services for safe international police communication

Interpol runs a service known as I-24/7, which is a Global Police Communications System that offers a single platform for the police organisations of the member countries to transmit sensitive and urgent police information with one another.

2. Databases and operational data services for the police
The police of the member countries can use a database of criminal data provided by Interpol anywhere in the world to look into crimes.

3. Police support services for operations and investigations

The INTERPOL provides aid with global fugitive tracking as well as forensics, analysis, and other investigative support services.