U.S. National Central Bureau of Interpol (USNCB)
The U.S. National Central Bureau of Interpol (USNCB) is an agency that operates within the frameworks of the Department of Justice and Homeland Security, established in 1969 to enhance international cooperation among law enforcement agencies. Its primary role is to facilitate communication and coordination between American law enforcement and Interpol, the global police organization. By serving as a liaison, the USNCB assists local, state, and federal police in addressing criminal and humanitarian issues that cross international borders.
The agency manages the transmission of critical information and coordinates international investigations while ensuring that U.S. authorities have access to Interpol databases. Additionally, the USNCB oversees the posting of Interpol notices on behalf of U.S. officials and alerts them to foreign notices. The organizational structure includes a director and several divisions focused on various areas such as economic crimes and drug investigations, supported by a diverse team of specialists and legal personnel.
With the growing presence of foreign nationals in the U.S., the demand for international law enforcement collaboration has increased, prompting many cities to establish liaison offices to work with the USNCB. The bureau also extends its support to U.S. territories and provides emergency operational services to thousands of local and state law enforcement agencies. In 2023, the USNCB celebrated its centennial, highlighting its longstanding commitment to facilitating global police cooperation.
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U.S. National Central Bureau of Interpol (USNCB)
DATE: Became operational in 1969
IDENTIFICATION: U.S. agency that operates under the guidelines of the Department of Justice and Homeland Security to facilitate cooperation between American law-enforcement representatives and Interpol (the International Criminal Police Organization).
SIGNIFICANCE: The establishment of the U.S. National Central Bureau of Interpol served to foster international cooperation among police agencies within the contracting global community. The agency functions primarily to transmit information, to coordinate international investigations, and to respond to requests by law-enforcement agencies, organizations, and institutes affiliated with Interpol.
The U.S. National Central Bureau (USNCB) of Interpol is the link for both American and foreign for all Interpol matters. It serves all American police organizations at the local, state, and federal levels and provides them with assistance in dealing with their counterparts in Interpol member countries concerning criminal and humanitarian matters. The USNCB also facilitates access for U.S. authorities to Interpol databases and in turn allows Interpol access to records in the U.S. Treasury Enforcement Computer System, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Crime Information Center, files of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and records of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Because of control issues related to the sharing of information among countries, however, classified information is not provided to Interpol members. The USNCB posts all Interpol notices on behalf of U.S. authorities as well as alerts all U.S. authorities of Interpol notices by other countries.
The USNCB organizational structure includes a director, a deputy director, a general counsel, an executive officer, and six assistant directors, who are in charge of USNCB’s six divisions: the Economic Crimes Division, the Drug Investigative Division, the Alien/Fugitive Investigative Division, the and Violent Crimes Division, the State and Local Police Liaison Division, and the Interpol Operations and Command Center. The USNCB staff is composed of agents, analysts, computer and forensic specialists, translators, and administrative and legal personnel.
Because of the high numbers of foreign nationals living in or visiting the United States, American state and local law-enforcement authorities have experienced an increased need for assistance from international police agencies. To meet these demands, many U.S. cities have set up liaison offices to coordinate requests through the USNCB pertaining to international investigations that affect their jurisdictions. The USNCB also has bureaus in U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.
Aside from providing invaluable information for investigations and securing global communication services for American and international law-enforcement agencies, the USNCB provides emergency operational support services for more than twenty thousand participating state and local law-enforcement agencies. In 2023, officials at INTERPOL Washington helped the agency celebrate its centennial.
Bibliography
"About INTERPOL Washington." INTERPOL Washington, 5 Aug. 2024, www.justice.gov/interpol-washington/about-interpol-washington. Accessed 16 Aug. 2024.
Anderson, Malcolm. Policing the World: Interpol and the Politics of International Police Co-operation. New York: Oxford University Press, 1989.
"Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco Delivers Remarks at 'INTERPOL at 100: Celebrating a Century of Transnational Police Cooperation'." Office of Public Affairs, 22 May 2023, www.justice.gov/opa/speech/deputy-attorney-general-lisa-o-monaco-delivers-remarks-interpol-100-celebrating-century. Accessed 16 Aug. 2024.
Fooner, Michael. Interpol: Issues in World Crime and International Criminal Justice. New York: Plenum, 1989.
Hall, Angus, ed. The Crime Busters: FBI, Scotland Yard, Interpol. 1976. Reprint. New York: Time Warner, 2002. Discusses the work of the agencies covered and presents information on their methods of criminal detection. Includes illustrations.