Why in News ? The  chief  of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)  has recently announced that Interpol had issued a record 100 Red Notices last year.

It issues 8 types of notices (7 of which are colour-coded) which are in the form of alerts/requests allowing police in member countries to share critical crime-related information.

 Red Notice:

Purpose:

• To seek the location and arrest of a person wanted by a member country or international tribunal for extradition.
• It is not an international arrest warrant but acts as a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition.

2. Blue Notice:

Purpose: To collect additional information about a person’s identity, location, or activities in relation to a crime.

Details: Helps locate or identify individuals of interest in criminal investigations, though it doesn’t request arrest.

3. Green Notice:

Purpose: To provide warnings and criminal intelligence about individuals who have committed criminal offenses and are likely to repeat these crimes in other countries.

Details: Typically issued to alert member countries about criminals who pose a threat, such as sex offenders or terrorists.

4. Yellow Notice:

Purpose: To help locate missing persons, especially minors, or to help identify persons who are unable to identify themselves.

Details: Often used for tracing missing children or vulnerable individuals.

5.  Black Notice:

Purpose: To seek information on unidentified bodies.

Details: Helps locate family members of deceased individuals whose identity is not known.

6. Orange Notice:

  Purpose: To warn of an event, person, object, or process representing a serious and imminent threat to public safety.

Details: Issued for potential dangers, such as disguised weapons, explosive materials, or criminal methods that pose a security risk.

7. 7. Purple Notice:

Purpose: To seek or provide information on modus operandi, objects, devices, or concealment methods used by criminals.

Details: Used to alert member countries about new criminal techniques or technologies.

8. Interpol-United Nations Security Council Special Notice:

Purpose: To inform Interpol’s members about individuals and entities that are subject to sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council.

 Details: Often related to sanctions on terrorist groups or individuals, including those linked to Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

About INTERPOL:

• Interpol was founded in 1923 under the name International Criminal Police Commission (ICPC).

Objective: Initially, it was established to enhance international cooperation in combating crimes like human trafficking, drug trafficking, and counterfeit currency.

• In 1956, it officially adopted the name Interpol.
• Interpol’s headquarters is located in Lyon, France.

Functions of Interpol:

• Interpol’s primary role is to assist law enforcement agencies in different countries to combat transnational crime by facilitating international police cooperation. The main functions include:

Facilitating Cross-Border Law Enforcement Cooperation: Interpol helps coordinate police efforts between different nations to combat international crime like terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, and organized crime.

Issuing Notices: It issues color-coded notices to alert member countries about criminals, fugitives, missing persons, or potential threats (e.g., Red Notice, Blue Notice, Yellow Notice, etc.).

Criminal Database Management: Interpol manages databases that contain fingerprints, DNA profiles, stolen passports, and criminal records, allowing member countries to access and share information.

Training and Capacity Building: It provides training programs to police forces around the world, ensuring better preparedness to tackle emerging crimes like cybercrime and terrorism.

Global Policing: Interpol provides secure communication channels through its I-24/7 network to allow law enforcement agencies to exchange crucial information in real-time.

2. Powers of Interpol:

• Interpol does not have the power to make arrests or enforce laws directly; it acts as a coordinator and facilitator for police forces in different countries. Its powers include:

Issuing International Alerts (Notices): It issues various types of notices (e.g., Red Notice for fugitives) to inform law enforcement agencies globally.

Coordination of Operations: Interpol coordinates global operations against transnational crime syndicates, human trafficking, illegal arms trade, and drug smuggling.

Data Exchange: It facilitates the exchange of criminal data and intelligence between its member countries.

Note: Interpol does not conduct its own investigations or have police powers to carry out operations on its own. Its role is more advisory and supportive.

Governance:

• The General Assembly, consisting of one delegate from each member country, is Interpol’s supreme decision-making body.
• Interpol’s day-to-day operation is managed by a General Secretariat under the direction of a Secretary General, who is appointed for a five-year term by the General Assembly.
• An Executive Committee of 13 members, each representing a different region of the world, is appointed by the General Assembly at its annual meeting.
• The Executive Committee oversees the implementation of decisions made by the General Assembly and supervises the work of the secretary general.

 National Central Bureau (NCB):

• It has an NCB in each member country, which is the central point of contact for both the general secretariat and the other NCBs around the world.
• Each NCB is run by police officials of that country and usually sits in the government ministry responsible for policing. (Union Home Ministry in India.)
• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) represents Interpol in India as the country’s NCB.