WHO WE SERVE

Public FAQ

  • What is INTERPOL? INTERPOL, the International Criminal Police Organization, is the world’s largest international police organization, with 186 member countries, and headquarters (Secretariat General) in Lyon, France. INTERPOL was created in 1923, and its mission is to facilitate the exchange of police information and promote cooperation and assistance between law enforcement authorities of its member countries.  INTERPOL provides secure communications and investigative resources to its member countries and their law enforcement officials

  • Is the United States a member of INTERPOL?  Yes, the United States is a member of INTERPOL, and has an office, or National Central Bureau (NCB) that is located in Washington and is a component of the U.S. Department of Justice. The United States also details law enforcement officials to serve at the INTERPOL Secretariat General in Lyon, France.

  • What is the USNCB?  The Interpol-U.S. National Central Bureau (USNCB) is a component of the U.S. Department of Justice, and is the point of contact for all INTERPOL matters involving the United States and its state, local and federal law enforcement officials.  It serves as the communications link between U.S. state, local, and federal law enforcement authorities and their counterparts in INTERPOL member countries.  It is also responsible for administering U.S. authorities’ access to INTERPOL databases.

  • Are there INTERPOL agents?  INTERPOL does not have its own operational agents, but rather utilizes the services of the police and law enforcement authorities in each of its 186 member countries.

  • What languages does INTERPOL use? There are four official INTERPOL languages: English, French, Spanish and Arabic.

  • Does INTERPOL have agents? INTERPOL is comprised of law enforcement agents from multiple local and federal jurisdictions.

  • Who can use INTERPOL? INTERPOL’s resources and assistance are available to law enforcement authorities in its member countries.

  • What are INTERPOL notices?  INTERPOL administers a system of international lookout/advisory notices to assist law enforcement authorities in INTERPOL=s member countries.  The notices, color-coded to designate their specific purposes, are issued by INTERPOL at the request of member countries, and are distributed to member countries and their appropriate law enforcement officials.

    • There are seven (7) different types of INTERPOL notices. The seven types of notices and their objectives are:

    Red Notices: Seek the location and arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition.
    Blue Notices: Trace and locate, or collect information about a person of interest in a criminal investigation.
    Green Notices: Provide warnings and information for crime prevention and public safety about persons who have committed criminal offences and are likely to be involved in criminal activity in other countries.
    Yellow Notices: Locate missing persons, often minors, or to help identify persons who are unable to identify themselves.
    Black Notices: Seek information on unidentified bodies.
    Orange Notices: Provide warnings about imminent threats that are likely to cause serious damage to property and/or injury to persons, including disguised weapons, parcel bombs and other dangerous materials.
    INTERPOL-United Nations Special Notices: Warn about groups and individuals affiliated with Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other terrorist organizations who are the targets of UN sanctions.

  • How can U.S. law enforcement officials use the INTERPOL notice system?  the USNCB is responsible for seeking the issuance of all INTERPOL notices on behalf of U.S. authorities, and alerting U.S. authorities to the existence of INTERPOL notices issued by other countries.  U.S. law enforcement authorities who seek the issuance of any of the INTERPOL notices described above should contact the USNCB for guidance.

  • Can private individuals request assistance from INTERPOL or the USNCB?  No, INTERPOL and the USNCB are permitted to assist only official law enforcement authorities.  Private individuals seeking assistance in international criminal matters should contact their local police department or other appropriate law enforcement agency.  These officials can then contact the USNCB for assistance.

  • Can a private citizen report a crime, or provide tips on fugitives or other criminal activities to INTERPOL or the USNCB?   Private citizens wishing to report crimes or provide information on criminals should contact their local police department or the responsible law enforcement agency.  These officials can then contact the USNCB for any necessary international assistance.