© BrandXpictures

The ability of police to exchange crucial data quickly and securely is a cornerstone of effective international law enforcement. This is why INTERPOL developed the I-24/7 global police communications system.

The system connects the INTERPOL General Secretariat in Lyon, France, National Central Bureaus (NCBs) in member countries and regional offices, creating a global network for the exchange of police information and providing law enforcement authorities in member countries with instant access to the organization’s databases and other services.

Member countries can also choose to grant consultative access to authorised law enforcement entities outside of NCBs, such as border control units or customs officials.

INTERPOL continues to develop new services and training programmes to ensure that users are able to make full use of the I-24/7 system. MIND/FIND technical solutions (Mobile and Fixed INTERPOL Network Databases) help countries access the system, by integrating into their existing computer-assisted verfication systems.

I-24/7 was created in 2003, with Canada being the first country to connect to the system. The final of INTERPOL's 186 member countries to join was Somalia, which was connected on 10 July 2007.

• Read more about I-24/7