Interpol--Providing Support and Assistance to Combat International Terrorism (From Understanding and Responding to Terrorism, P 3-10, 2007, Huseyin Durmaz, Bilal Sevinc, et al., eds. -- See NCJ-224814)

• NCJ Number: 224815
• Author(s): Jennifer Hurst
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: IOS Press
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: Netherlands

Annotation

This paper describes the tools and services that Interpol uses in assisting its member countries to combat international terrorism.

Abstract

Interpol serves 184 member countries. It facilitates cross-border police cooperation with three core functions: a global police communications system that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (I-24/7); a range of criminal databases and analytical services; and support for police operations throughout the world. Each member country maintains a National Central Bureau (NCB), which is the central contact between the Interpol General Secretariat in Lyon, France, and the various law enforcement agencies in the member country. Interpol has a terrorism secure Web site that is accessible through I-24/7. The site contains information from Interpol terrorism working group meetings, analytical reports based on information received by Interpol, lists of suspected or wanted terrorists, and recent notices issued on suspected or wanted terrorists. The Interpol Public Safety and Terrorism Sub-Directorate (PST) manage all terrorism-related projects. The PST coordinates the Fusion Task Force (terrorism projects) and the bioterrorism unit. PST also manages a firearms-tracking program (IWETS) and an environmental and wildlife crime project. Created in September 2002, the Fusion Task Force uses a proactive, multidisciplinary strategy to assist member countries in terrorism-related investigations. It is primary operations are to identify terrorist groups and their members; solicit, collect, and share information and intelligence; provide analytical support; and enhance the capacity of member countries to address terrorism threats. It currently operates six counterterrorism projects in six regions of the world. Details are provided on Fusion Project Kalkan in Central Asia in order to illustrate the activities of such projects. The features of Interpol’s terrorism-related databases are described, along with its notices, the Money Laundering Automated Search Service, and its Incident Response Teams.