Interpol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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| Common name | Interpol |
| Abbreviation | ICPO-INTERPOL |
| Motto | Connecting police for a safer world |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 7 September 1923 |
| Preceding agencies |
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| Employees | 1,050 (2019) |
| Annual budget | €176 million (2023) |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| International agency | |
| Countries | 196 member states |
| Governing body | General Assembly |
| Constituting instrument |
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| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Lyon, France |
| Multinational agency | |
| Nationalities of personnel | 130 (2024) |
| Agency executives |
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| Facilities | |
| National Central Bureaus | 196 |
Interpol is the short name for the International Criminal Police Organization. It's like a worldwide police network that helps countries work together to fight crime. It started in 1923 and is now one of the biggest international organizations, second only to the United Nations.
Here are some quick facts about Interpol:
- Its main office is in Lyon, France.
- It used to be located near Paris, in a town called Saint Cloud.
- It has 184 member countries from all over the world.
- All member countries share the costs, which are more than 30 million Euros each year.
Contents
How Interpol Started
Interpol began its work in 1923 in Austria. Back then, it was called the International Criminal Police Commission (ICPM). During World War II, a group called the Nazis took control of Austria. The ICPM also came under their control, and they used it to gather information for their own plans.
After the war ended, police leaders from countries like Belgium, France, Scandinavia, and the United Kingdom made many changes to the ICPM. This helped the organization start fresh and work in a new, better way.
Interpol's Main Office
The main office of Interpol is called the Interpol General Secretariat. This is where most of the work happens. The person in charge of Interpol is called the president. Right below the president is the secretary general, who helps manage everything.
In 2001, about 384 people from 54 different countries worked at this office. It used to be open only during normal business hours, but now it works 24 hours a day, every day, without stopping! This means they can help countries fight crime at any time. In 2001 alone, Interpol helped find or arrest about 1400 people who had committed crimes.
How Interpol Works
Interpol helps solve crimes that involve more than one country. It does not get involved in politics. It helps with many different types of cases, such as:
- Terrorism (violent acts to scare people)
- Organized crime (groups of criminals working together)
- Smuggling weapons
- Smuggling people
- Money laundering (making illegally earned money look legal)
- Financial crime (crimes about money, like fraud)
- High-tech crime (crimes using computers or the internet)
- Political corruption (dishonest acts by people in power)
Over the years, Interpol has created a special way of working. Each country that is a member has its own special office called the National Central Bureau (NCB). If Interpol needs information or help from a country, it contacts this NCB office. In the same way, if a member country needs help from Interpol, its NCB office contacts Interpol.
Interpol also keeps a huge collection of information about criminals and crimes. This includes details about illegal activities and even lost or stolen passports. Member countries can use this information to help their own police work. It's important to know that Interpol officers do not directly investigate crimes or arrest people. They always work through the police officers of the member country.
Interpol in Books and Movies
- Interpol has caught the eye of many writers and movie directors. You can find the organization shown in many books, movies, and TV shows.
- There is even a music band named Interpol!
Images for kids
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An Interpol ID card (front view)
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Former Interpol President Meng Hongwei
See also
In Spanish: Interpol para niños
