Fact Sheet: INTERPOL

 

Date of establishment 1923 – INTERPOL
1992 – INTERPOL Environmental Crime Committee
2009 – INTERPOL Environmental Crime Programme  
Legal basis INTERPOL Constitution
Objective

In line with the aims of the organization recognized by its Constitution, together with its Strategic Framework for 2011 – 2013, INTERPOL Environmental Crime Programme’s Mission is to assist member countries in the effective enforcement of national and international environmental laws and treaties, by:

  • Enhancing and developing the capacity, capabilities and co-operation of member countries in the effective enforcement of their respective environmental laws;
  • Encouraging and assisting in the exchange of environmental crime related information and intelligence between member countries;
  • Providing operational support to member countries enforcing environmental laws;
  • Encouraging and providing opportunities to member countries to network, communicate and exchange skills with respect to the enforcement of the environmental crime.
Nature International organization
Membership 190 member countries. Each member country establishes a National Central Bureau (NCB) that links the national police with other relevant national law enforcement agencies and INTERPOL’s global network of NCBs.
Observers

Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) – The CCF ensures that the processing of personal data – such as names and fingerprints – is in line with INTERPOL's rules, in order to protect both the fundamental rights of individuals and the cooperation among police internationally.

Geographical scope Global
Substantive Scope

INTERPOL’s mandate includes all areas of criminal law, with a particular focus on the following crime areas: corruption, crimes against children, cybercrime, drugs, environmental crime, financial crime, firearms, fugitive investigations, maritime piracy, organized crime, pharmaceutical crime, terrorism, trafficking in human beings, trafficking in illicit goods, vehicle crimes and work of art.

INTERPOL’s Environmental Crime Programme’s scope includes all environmental crime areas, including illegal trafficking of hazardous wastes.

Governance structure

INTERPOL’s governance comprises the General Assembly and the Executive Committee, which is headed by the President.
The General Secretariat is headed by the Secretary General of the Organization, who is appointed by the General Assembly for a period of 5 years.

The Environmental Crime Programme, together with its advisory board, the Environmental Crime Committee work to guide the international environmental enforcement community, shape the Programme's strategy and direction, identifying emerging patterns and trends in the field of environmental crime enforcement. Participation in the Committee is open to law enforcement officers, officials and experts from all of INTERPOL’s 190 member countries.

Cooperation United Nations (UN); European Union (EU); G8; Green Customs Initiative; WCO, and other international organizations, in addition to civil society, NGOs, academic world and the private sector. 60 cooperation agreements with other international organization, including the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions.
Activities

In line with its strategic priorities, of secure global communication network, 24/7 support for policing and law enforcement, capacity building and assisting in the identification of crimes and criminals, the INTERPOL Environmental Crime Programme designed tailored projects for its member countries, projects which aim at forming National Environmental Security Taskforces (NEST).

A NEST would ensure a co-ordinated multi-agency response to tackling environmental crime and enhancing environmental security. This means the involvement of all agencies responsible for countries’ environmental law enforcement - including police, customs, judiciary, and environmental agencies.

Environmental Crime Committee. Formed in 1992, assists INTERPOL in identifying emerging patterns and trends in the field of environmental crime enforcement. To support the Committee in its function, three working groups lead projects in specific areas as the Wildlife Crime, the Fisheries Crime and the Pollution Crime Working Group.

The Pollution Crime Working Group Crime Committee initiates and leads a number of projects to combat the transport, trading and disposal of hazardous wastes or resources in contravention of national and international laws.

Source of funding The INTERPOL Environmental Crime Programme is dependent on both internal and external funding sources from governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and organizations.
Contact information INTERPOL Environmental Crime Programme
I.P.C.O. - INTERPOL, General Secretariat
200, Quai Charles de Gaulle
69006 Lyon - France
Tel: +33 (0) 4 72 44 5785
Fax: +33 (0) 4 72 44 73 51
Email: environmentalcrime@interpol.int
Website www.interpol.int/Crime-areas/Environmental-crime