RCMP Fact Sheets

Interpol Ottawa

QUICK FACTS • Interpol's General Secretariat is located in Lyon, France, and operates 24/7 in English, French, Spanish and Arabic. www.interpol.int. • The I-24/7 communication system - a secure system used to share Interpol information with other member countries - offers a gateway (the "Dashboard") to numerous real-time databases.. • The Electronic Automated Search Facility Database (EASF) contains various smaller databases including the: - Nominal Database, which contains the pertinent details of over 166, 000 persons. - Lost/Stolen Travel Document Database, which contains over 8 million entries. • EASF also houses six colour-coded Interpol notices: Red: To seek arrest with a view to extradite Blue: To locate persons and collect information Green: To provide warnings and criminal intelligence Yellow: To locate missing persons Black: To identify bodies Orange: To share security alerts

Overview
Interpol Ottawa, also known as the Canadian National Central Bureau (NCB), represents the interests of the Interpol organization in Canada. The Interpol Ottawa office is managed by the RCMP, but all Canadian law enforcement agencies are encouraged to actively participate in Interpol committees and working groups.

History
Created in 1923, Interpol is the world's largest international police organization with 184 member countries. Its goal is to facilitate cross-border police co-operation and assist organizations whose mission is to prevent and combat international crime. Canada became a member in 1949 and the RCMP was delegated the responsibility of operating Interpol Ottawa.

Today
Interpol Ottawa, which is part of the RCMP's Federal and International Operations Directorate (International Policing Sector) is comprised of RCMP police officers, civilian members, public servants and seconded police officers from other Canadian police forces.

Activities
Interpol Ottawa's primary role is to serve as a principal link between the Canadian and international law enforcement community. In addition, the Branch provides a unique range of essential services to optimize the international effort to combat crime. Some of these services include:

Coordinating and providing international assistance to Canadian police investigators and other government departments.

• Ensuring requests from Interpol member countries are carried out in Canada in a timely fashion.
  
• Providing up-to-date information to police investigators on legislation pertaining to criminal investigations and on country requirements for pre-extradition.
• Coordinating and providing assistance in locating/deporting/extraditing foreign fugitives on Canadian soil and Canadian fugitives abroad.

For more info on Interpol Ottawa:
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/intpolicing/interpol_e.htm