INTERPOL does not have independent law enforcement jurisdiction and exercises no arrest, investigative, or executive powers. Established in the early twentieth century and restructured after World War II, INTERPOL’s mandate is limited to facilitating international police cooperation among its member states, in accordance with national laws and the INTERPOL Constitution.
Under Article 2 of its Constitution, INTERPOL’s objectives are to promote the widest possible mutual assistance between criminal police authorities, while respecting domestic legal systems and international human rights standards. INTERPOL functions as a global coordination and information-sharing platform, supporting cooperation in the prevention and suppression of transnational ordinary law crimes.
INTERPOL’s jurisdiction is further restricted by the principle of neutrality set out in Article 3 of its Constitution. This provision prohibits involvement in political, military, religious, or racial matters, ensuring the organisation’s impartiality and preventing misuse of its cooperation mechanisms for non-criminal purposes.
In operational terms, INTERPOL assists national authorities through secure communication networks, databases, and cooperation tools. It does not conduct criminal investigations, issue arrest warrants, or enforce national or international law. All enforcement actions remain the responsibility of the competent national authorities.
Overall, INTERPOL’s jurisdiction is functional rather than territorial or coercive. Its core objective is to enable lawful, neutral, and human rights-compliant international police cooperation, while fully respecting state sovereignty and domestic legal competence.
