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About INTERPOL Washington

Photo of Constellation building 2 with seal of Justice, INTERPOL Washington, and Homeland Security

INTERPOL Washington, the United States National Central Bureau, serves as the designated representative to the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) on behalf of the Attorney General. INTERPOL Washington is the official U.S. point of contact in INTERPOL's worldwide, police-to-police communications and criminal intelligence network. A component of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), INTERPOL Washington is co-managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding that ensures a continuing commitment to the guidance and oversight of the organization and reinforces its role in effectively sharing and exchanging international criminal investigative and humanitarian assistance information.

INTERPOL Washington operates 24/7/365 and supports more than 18,000 local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement agencies in the United States as well as their foreign counterparts that seek assistance in criminal investigations that extend beyond their national borders.

INTERPOL Washington's mission is to coordinate U.S. law enforcement actions and responses, ensuring that they are consistent with U.S. interests and law, as well as INTERPOL policies, procedures, and regulations. This includes strict adherence to Article 3 of the INTERPOL Constitution, which expressly forbids the Organization to “...undertake any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious, or racial character.”

Updated May 12, 2023