Interpol decides to enhance exchange of police data

Kathmandu, October 30

The 88th session of general assembly of the International Police Organisation, commonly known as Interpol, has endorsed a number of resolutions to drive and support its future activities under the leadership of Secretary General Jürgen Stock, who was reappointed for a second term.

The Interpol session was held from October 15 to 18 in Santiago, Chile, and was attended by some 900 senior law enforcement and government delegates from 162 countries. Inspector General of Police Sarbendra Khanal had led a Nepali delegation as the chief of National Central Bureau, the Nepal office of Interpol.

According to a press release issued by Nepal Police, the general assembly adopted the Interpol’s I-Core, a new programme to design its future portfolio of services for exchanging police data, information and investigative leads.

Delegates endorsed I-Core, which will embrace technology and align services to meet member countries’ needs.

In all, delegates endorsed 13 resolutions. They included approving activities and finances and recognising the importance of establishing strong partnerships with regional bodies. As the overwhelming majority of both data and expertise lies with the private sector, the general assembly endorsed Project Gateway, which provides a framework for agreements with selected private sector partners to combat cybercrime more effectively. Ensuring real-time data in the hands of frontline officers and increased cooperation across various agencies in combating terrorism, organised crime and cyber crime were key topics during the four-day meeting.

Quoting IGP Khanal, the release said Nepal’s presence in the general assembly was very strong. “The meet dwelt on ways to prevent and combat cross-border crime and cybercrime in addition to discussion on other Interpol activities. Nepal also used the forum as an opportunity to promote Visit Nepal 2020,” he said. IGP Khanal informed that the Interpol had regarded Nepal Police as one of the best criminal investigators.

Delegates of member countries also shared information on strategic tools and techniques in relation to combating international crime, besides expressing commitment to end terrorism and crime through cooperation, said Nepal Police. Being the world’s largest international police

organisation, Interpol has a vision of connecting police for a safer world, and preventing and fighting crime through enhanced cooperation. Interpol’s General Secretariat is located in Lyon, France, and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Its member countries maintain an NCB staffed by its own highly trained law enforcement officials. IGP Khanal is the chief of NCB, Nepal.

Khanal was accompanied by Deputy Inspector General Niraj Bahadur Shahi and Senior Superintendent of Police Umesh Raj Joshi. The Nepali delegation returned home on October 26.