Why in news?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the 'Bharatpol' portal on January 7, developed by the CBI to enhance international police cooperation.

The portal serves as a broadcast hub for real-time action against transnational crimes, enabling central and state law enforcement agencies to connect efficiently with Interpol and expedite investigations.

What’s in today’s article?

• What is Interpol?
• What is Bharatpol?

What is Interpol?

• About
  • Full Name - International Criminal Police Organisation.
    • Interpol is the radio-telegraph code for the organisation.
  • Interpol is an international police organisation made up of 196 member countries.
  • It does not work under UN.
    • It has enjoyed a special role – that of Permanent Observer at the United Nations - since 1996.
  • It was founded in 1923 and is headquartered at Lyon, France.
• Functions of Interpol
  • 
  • It is not a police force in the traditional sense—its agents are not able to arrest criminals.
  • It is more of an information-sharing network, providing a way for national police forces to co-operate effectively and tackle international crime ranging from human trafficking and terrorism to money laundering and illegal art dealing.
  • Sharing of information is done by issuing colour-coded notices in four languages - English, Spanish, French, and Arabic.
  • The organization operates centralised criminal databases that contain fingerprint records, DNA samples and stolen documents.

What is Bharatpol?

• Background - CBI as Interpol Liaison for India
  • The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), functioning as the National Central Bureau (NCB-New Delhi) for Interpol in India facilitates connections between Indian law enforcement agencies and those in 195 countries.
  • Currently, coordination happens through letters, emails, and faxes, often causing delays in investigations.
• About Bharatpol
  • Bharatpol, developed to streamline international cooperation, addresses delays by making police collaboration more seamless.
  • It enables real-time assistance for criminal investigations.
  • The portal was introduced in response to the rise in transnational crimes such as cybercrime, financial crimes, online radicalisation, organised crimes, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.
  • These crimes demand instant international coordination.
• Key features of Bharatpol portal
  • Unified Platform for Law Enforcement
    • Bharatpol connects the CBI (NCB-New Delhi) with all law enforcement authorities in India, including SPs and CPs, ensuring seamless integration.
  • Simplified Request Mechanism
    • Frontline police officers can easily request international assistance from 195 Interpol member countries using standardised templates.
  • Rapid Information Dissemination
    • The portal enables the CBI to quickly share criminal intelligence and inputs from Interpol member countries with law enforcement agencies across India.
  • Enhanced Utilisation of Interpol Notices
    • Bharatpol simplifies drafting requests for Red Corner Notices and other Interpol notices, aiding in global tracking of crimes, criminals, and illicit assets.
  • Capacity Building and Training
    • The portal offers access to documents, templates, and training resources, improving the skills of frontline officers in conducting international investigations.
• Key modules of Bharatpol
  • Connect: Enables Indian law enforcement agencies to function as an extension of Interpol’s NCB-New Delhi.
    • It ensures quick, secure, and structured transmission of requests for Interpol Notices and aiding in the swift location of criminals globally.
  • INTERPOL Notices: Facilitates streamlined requests for Interpol Notices to enhance international crime tracking.
  • Broadcast: Provides real-time access to requests for assistance from Interpol’s member countries.
  • References: Organises and manages references for international investigations.
  • Resources: Simplifies the exchange and management of documents and training materials for efficient international collaboration.