International Day of Police Cooperation 2023: Date, History and Significance– The International Day of Police Cooperation is a United Nations observance held annually on September 7. It was intended to honour Interpol’s inception and to highlight the global importance of law enforcement in ensuring peace, security, and justice. For the most of human history, collaboration among law enforcement in different countries was largely organised on a case-by-case basis. The world’s first initiative for international law enforcement cooperation was the Police Union of German States, established in 1851. It brought together secret police forces from various German-speaking countries.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz: September 2023
History of International Day of Police Cooperation
During its 77th session in December 2022, the United Nations General Assembly declared September 7 as International Day of Police Cooperation. The inaugural celebration took place on September 7, 2023, coinciding with the 100th founding anniversary of Interpol. It focused on the crucial role of women in policing.
Significance of International Day of Police Cooperation
The main goal of the International Day of Police Cooperation is to highlight the central role that the world’s law enforcement community plays in global security, as well as the importance of international coordination between police and law enforcement institutions in preventing and combating criminal activity.
On this occasion, events and activities will be held to promote international cooperation at various levels (global, regional, and subregional) in areas linked to preventing and combatting transnational crime, as well as preventing and combating terrorism. They are also meant to reinforce collaboration between the United Nations and Interpol in key areas such as global health, financial crime and corruption, cybercrime, emerging technologies, and maritime security.
About Interpol
During World War II, most member states left the International Criminal Police Commission (ICPC) because it was controlled by Nazi Germany. When the war ended, the ICPC was renamed the International Criminal Police Organisation and relocated its headquarters to Paris. In 1956, it adopted a new constitution and a new short name, Interpol. Interpol’s headquarters were subsequently moved to Saint-Cloud in 1967 and to Lyon in 1989.
Today, Interpol is the world’s leading international police organization with 195 member states. However, it is not the only organization facilitating international police cooperation. For example, its European counterpart, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol), was established in 1998. It coordinates cooperation between law enforcement agencies in the European Union.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- International Criminal Police Commission Headquarters: Lyon, France
- International Criminal Police Commission Founded: 7 September 1923, Vienna, Austria
- International Criminal Police Commission President: Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi
