U.S. Involvement with INTERPOL
| 1914 | The 1st International Police Conference convenes in Monaco |
| 1923 | INTERPOL is founded. A headquarters is established in Vienna, Austria, and the first Wanted Persons Notices are published in INTERPOL's International Public Safety Journal. |
| 1938 | U.S. participation in INTERPOL begins. As a result of World War II, the U.S. delays its formal membership in INTERPOL until 1947, at which time it is represented by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) |
| 1946 | The current, color-coded INTERPOL Notice system is initiated, and the first Red Notices are published for persons wanted internationally |
| 1947 | The U.S. becomes a full member of INTERPOL |
| 1950 | The U.S. Department of the Treasury assumes responsibility for INTERPOL Washington |
| 1958 | The Attorney General designates the U.S. Department of the Treasury as the U.S. representative to INTERPOL |
| 1968 | Congress authorizes the Attorney General to accept and maintain, on behalf of the United States, membership in INTERPOL, under Title 22, United States Code §263a |
| 1977 | A Memorandum of Understanding establishes the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Justice as co-managers of INTERPOL Washington |
| 2003 | Under a new Memorandum of Understanding, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security replaces the U.S. Department of the Treasury as co-manager of INTERPOL Washington |
Updated: July 2012
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Timothy A. Williams |
Director |
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INTERPOL Washington U.S. National Central Bureau |
(202) 616-9000 |
The mission of INTERPOL Washington, the United States National Central Bureau, is to advance the law enforcement interests of the United States as the official representative to the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL); to share criminal justice, humanitarian, and public safety information between our nation's law enforcement community and its foreign counterparts, and to facilitate transnational investigative efforts that enhance the safety and security of our nation.
