The calendar year 2023 marks the centenary of INTERPOL, which also marks 100 years of international police cooperation.
The idea was born - Although INTERPOL was officially created in 1923, the idea was born at the first International Criminal Police Congress held in Monaco in April 1914. At the invitation of Prince Albert I of Monaco, lawyers and police officers from 24 countries discussed cooperation in solving crimes, identification techniques and extradition.
The meeting was very successful, but plans had to be put on hold due to the outbreak of the First World War.
1923, the foundations were laid - The idea of an international police body was renewed at the second International Congress of Criminal Police in Vienna, Austria in 1923. Representatives from 20 countries took part in it.
At the meeting held on 7 September , 1923, it was agreed to establish the International Criminal Police Commission (ICPC).
The overall goal of the ICPC was to provide mutual assistance among the police in different countries. Its structure and objectives are documented in a series of resolutions.
Among the main topics were:
- Direct police contact;
- cooperation in case of deprivation of liberty and extradition;
- languages for use and communication;
- creating an office for counterfeit currency, checks and passports;
- Techniques for taking fingerprints and their storage.
These principles are still relevant today and continue to apply to the day-to-day activities of INTERPOL.
1956 - modernized INTERPOL
The ICPC became the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO-INTERPOL) with the adoption of a modernized constitution in 1956. The organization became autonomous by collecting membership fees from member countries and relying on financial investments.
INTERPOL's membership has grown steadily since its creation. From the initial 20 founders in 1923, there were 50 member countries in 1955, when the Organization was being rebuilt after World War II. By 1967, there were 100 member countries, 150 member countries were reached in 1989, and today there are a total of 195. Bosnia and and Herzegovina has been a member of INTERPOL since 1992, when it was admitted to membership with Slovenia and Croatia.
NCB INTERPOL Sarajevo, since its establishment, through its activities, has enabled law enforcement agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina to access various tools and services of INTERPOL, where law enforcement agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina have the opportunity 24 hours a day, seven days a week perform checks on wanted persons, stolen/lost documents, vehicles and the like. On the other hand, the law enforcement agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina contributed and are contributing daily through the exchange of operational police information through the INTERPOL channel through NCB INTERPOL Sarajevo with the countries of the region, Europe and the world.
On the occasion of marking the centenary, the General Secretariat of INTERPOL created a special logo and through the 2023 calendar year it will be used in all forms of official communication. On the recommendation of the General Secretariat of INTERPOL, NCB INTERPOL Sarajevo also joins this activity, and will use this logo in all forms of official communication in 2023.
In order to promote, a video was created showing the development of INTERPOL's role since its creation, which is available in four official languages (English, French, Spanish, Arabic).
Through children's voices, the video describes the work of officers in the world's largest police organization. Set in different regions, the children illustrate themes that have been relevant since the creation of INTERPOL:
- use of biometrics,
- secure exchange of information,
- INTERPOL databases,
- additional operational value of INTERPOL,
- building capacity to fight against modern criminal threats.
Video is published and available on INTERPOL YouTube channel :
- Arabic language: https://youtu.be/0nSE7sPsXGA
- English language: https://youtu.be/d6OssUx7wlw
- French language: https://youtu.be/KWZNgVFSF6g
- Spanish language: https://youtu.be/eIBP1mng0wg
On the occasion of the centenary, you can also follow and comment on INTERPOL through the following social networks:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/INTERPOL_HQ
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InterpolHQ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/interpol_hq/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/interpol
For all possible interesting facts,
history, way of working and other details concerning INTERPOL, they can be
found on the website www.interpol.int.