INTERPOL Notices

INTERPOL Notices are international alerts issued by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to share critical information about crimes, criminals, and threats among its 195 member countries. These notices serve as a vital mechanism for cross-border police cooperation, allowing law enforcement agencies worldwide to exchange data swiftly and effectively. Each notice is colour-coded according to its purpose and content, ranging from locating fugitives to warning about potential security threats.

Background and Purpose

Established in 1923, INTERPOL operates as an intergovernmental organisation facilitating international collaboration in combating crime. Since crime frequently transcends national borders—through terrorism, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and human trafficking—INTERPOL’s system of notices enables rapid global dissemination of intelligence.
The notice system was introduced to standardise communication between member states, ensuring that information about wanted persons, missing individuals, and criminal methods is shared within a secure legal and procedural framework. Each notice is issued either at the request of a member country or by INTERPOL’s General Secretariat in Lyon, France, in accordance with international law and the organisation’s constitution.

Types of INTERPOL Notices

There are eight primary types of notices, each represented by a specific colour and purpose:

• Red Notice: Issued to seek the location and arrest of a person wanted by judicial authorities for prosecution or to serve a sentence. It is often referred to as an “international wanted persons notice”. While it is not an international arrest warrant, it requests member countries to identify and provisionally arrest the individual pending extradition.
• Blue Notice: Seeks information about a person’s identity, location, or activities in relation to a crime. It helps track suspects or witnesses whose whereabouts are unknown.
• Green Notice: Provides warnings and criminal intelligence about persons who have committed criminal offences and are likely to repeat them in other countries, assisting in preventing reoffending.
• Yellow Notice: Used to locate missing persons, often minors, or to help identify persons who are unable to identify themselves.
• Black Notice: Issued to seek information on unidentified bodies, helping authorities match them with missing persons or criminal investigations.
• Orange Notice: Warns of an event, object, process, or substance that poses a potential threat to public safety—such as concealed explosives, contaminated products, or disguised weapons.
• Purple Notice: Provides information about modi operandi, devices, or concealment methods used by criminals. It helps member states stay informed about emerging crime trends and techniques.
• INTERPOL–United Nations Security Council Special Notice: Issued for individuals and entities subject to sanctions by the UN Security Council, typically related to terrorism or arms embargoes.

Each notice type serves a distinct function, and all are circulated through INTERPOL’s secure global police communications system, known as I-24/7.

Issuing and Circulation Process

The process of issuing an INTERPOL Notice follows strict procedural and legal requirements to prevent misuse. Typically, a member country initiates a request through its National Central Bureau (NCB)—the liaison office linking domestic law enforcement with INTERPOL. The General Secretariat reviews the request to ensure it complies with INTERPOL’s Constitutional Articles, particularly Article 3, which prohibits any activity of a political, military, religious, or racial nature.
Once validated, the notice is published on INTERPOL’s secure network, accessible to authorised law enforcement agencies globally. Selected Red and Yellow Notices may also be made public on INTERPOL’s official website to encourage assistance from the public in locating individuals.

Legal Nature and Limitations

INTERPOL Notices do not possess the force of international law; rather, they serve as requests for cooperation between member states. The execution of any arrest or action based on a notice depends on the domestic laws of the country concerned. For instance, while a Red Notice signals an individual wanted internationally, an arrest can only occur where national legislation authorises it.
INTERPOL continually reviews notices to ensure they are not used for political or discriminatory purposes. A dedicated Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) oversees data protection, legality, and fairness in all information exchanges.

Practical Applications

INTERPOL Notices are essential tools for global law enforcement and judicial cooperation. Their applications include:

• Tracking fugitives: Red Notices help identify and detain persons attempting to evade justice by crossing borders.
• Combating terrorism: Special Notices and Orange Notices assist in identifying individuals or methods linked to terrorist activities.
• Identifying missing persons: Yellow Notices play a crucial role in humanitarian efforts to locate missing children or vulnerable individuals.
• Crime prevention: Green and Purple Notices enable countries to recognise patterns and prevent crimes before they occur.
• Protecting public safety: Orange Notices warn of hazardous materials or devices that could endanger the public.

These notices also facilitate extradition processes, as countries can use them as supporting documentation for provisional arrests under international treaties.

Examples and Notable Cases

Several high-profile cases have highlighted the importance of INTERPOL Notices:

• Red Notices have been issued for international fugitives involved in financial crimes, organised crime, or terrorism, prompting arrests in multiple jurisdictions.
• Yellow Notices have helped reunite abducted children with their families across borders.
• Orange Notices have warned member states about disguised explosives and hazardous materials used in criminal activities.

Such examples demonstrate how INTERPOL’s notice system strengthens global collaboration in law enforcement.

Technological and Policy Developments

In recent years, INTERPOL has modernised its notice system through digital integration and enhanced data analytics. The I-24/7 system now enables real-time sharing of biometric data, including fingerprints and facial recognition, improving accuracy in identifying suspects.
INTERPOL has also implemented policies ensuring that notices comply with human rights standards, particularly concerning refugees and politically sensitive cases. Mechanisms for appeal and review have been strengthened to uphold fairness and transparency.