International criminal police organization (interpol): history and current trends of activity

Abstract

The article deals with the historical milestones of the International Criminal Police Organization as well as the current trends in its activity. The main historical prerequisites for the creation, development and functioning of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) are highlighted, including the historical prerequisites for the creation of the National Central Bureau in Ukraine. The role and significance of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in international cooperation in the fight against general criminality in the context of its legal, technical, and organizational evolution are considered. The main modern trends in the activity and cooperation of the organization are analyzed. The author underlines that Interpol is an intergovernmental organization that facilitates international police cooperation and the main mission of it to promote global police cooperation, prevent and combat international crime, and provide a range of policing services to its member countries. The organization initially focused on facilitating the exchange of criminal intelligence between member countries, but over time, it has expanded its mandate to include a range of activities related to international law enforcement. Currently, Interpol has 195 member countries, making it the world’s largest international organization. One of the key challenges facing Interpol is balancing the needs of its member countries with the need to respect individual rights and privacy. Another important trend in Interpol’s work is the growing focus on cybersecurity and the prevention of cybercrime. It is also analyzed the current structure of Interpol and the role of each structure, the process of the establishment of the National Central Bureau in Ukraine, and the interaction of Interpol with other world organizations. Interpol has been working for almost a century to promote international police cooperation and the fight against transnational crime. With the increasing interconnectedness of the world and the rise of new forms of crime such as cybercrime, Interpol’s role in facilitating cross-border law enforcement cooperation and preventing international crime is expected to become even more significant in the coming years.