International Criminal Police Organization - INTERPOL
INTERPOL's distinctive signs
The official abbreviations are:
- “ O.I.P.C. ” , which stands for 'Organisation internationale de police criminelle‘
- “ ICPO ” , which stands for 'International Criminal Police Organization'.
INTERPOL's distinctive signs
The official name is “ ICPO-INTERPOL ”
- The word 'INTERPOL' is a contraction of 'international police', and was chosen in 1946 as the telegraphic address.
- In 1956, the International Criminal Police Commission changed its name to become the International Criminal Police Organization - INTERPOL.
INTERPOL's distinctive signs
The emblem
The emblem, in use since 1950, comprises
the following elements:
- a representation of the globe, to indicate that INTERPOL's activities are worldwide
- olive branches either side of the globe to symbolize peace
- the name 'INTERPOL' below the globe in the centre of the olive branches
- a vertical sword behind the globe, representing police action
- the abbreviations 'OIPC' and 'ICPO' above the globe either side of the sword
- the scales below the olive branches symbolize justice.
INTERPOL's distinctive signs
The flag
The flag has been in use
since 1950:
- it has a light-blue background
- the emblem is in the centre
- the four lightning flashes arranged symmetrically around the emblem represent telecommunications and speed in police action.
Structure of the General Secretariat
Secretary General
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.
Current Secretary General
Ronald K. Noble
Former Secretaries General
Oskar Dressler Austria
1932-1946
Louis Ducloux France
1946-1951
Marcel Sicot France
1951-1963
Jean Népote France
1963-1978
André Bossard France
1978-1985
Raymond Kendall United Kingdom
1985-2000
President of Interpol
INTERPOL’s current President is Mr KHOO Boon Hui, elected at the 77th INTERPOL General Assembly held in St Petersburg in October 2008. Mr Khoo will serve as President until 2012.
Mr KHOO Boon Hui
Former Presidents
Johan Schober Austria
1923-1932
Norman D.
Inkster Canada
1992-1994
Björn Eriksson Sweden
1994-1996
Toshinori Kanemoto Japan
1996-2000
Jesús Espigares-Mira Spain
2000-2004
Jackie Selebi South Africa
2004-2008
Interpol