Interpol is a vital global organization that fosters international police cooperation, helping nations combat cross-border crime and terrorism. Understanding Interpol’s mission and functions is essential for citizens worldwide, as it promotes awareness of the ongoing fight against transnational threats. In this article, test your knowledge with a quiz related to Interpol’s role and impact in international law enforcement.

General Knowledge Quiz on Interpol

Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, is essential because it serves as a bridge for law enforcement agencies worldwide to collaborate in fighting transnational crime and terrorism. By facilitating information sharing, issuing alerts, and aiding joint operations, Interpol plays a pivotal role in maintaining global security and protecting citizens from cross-border threats, making it a critical organization for international law enforcement efforts.

Following we have provided MCQs on the topic of Interpol for your self-assessment and to help you gain some additional insights on it.

Q1. What does the INTERPOL Blue Notice primarily seek to achieve?

a) Locate and arrest dangerous criminals

b) Identify missing persons

c) Collect additional information on a person’s identity

d) Provide information on modus operandi used by criminals

Answer: c) Collect additional information on a person’s identity

Q2. Which of the following is not a type of INTERPOL notice?

a) Red Notice

b) Green Notice

c) Yellow Notice

d) Purple Notice

Answer: d) Purple Notice

Q3. In which year did INTERPOL shift its headquarters to Lyon, France?

a) 1972

b) 1989

c) 1996

d) 2005

Answer: b) 1989

Q4. What is the main purpose of the INTERPOL Green Notice?

a) To locate and arrest criminals involved in environmental crimes

b) To provide information on missing persons, especially minors

c) To collect information on modus operandi used by terrorists

d) To seek information on unidentified bodies

Answer: a) To locate and arrest criminals involved in environmental crimes

Q5. Which country hosted the First International Criminal Police Congress in 1914, where the idea of INTERPOL was born?

a) France

b) Monaco

c) Germany

d) Switzerland

Answer: b) Monaco

Q6. What do the four lightning flashes in the INTERPOL flag symbolize?

a) Telecommunications and speed in police action

b) International cooperation and diplomacy

c) Transparency and accountability

d) Environmental protection

Answer: a) Telecommunications and speed in police action

Q7. What is the main function of the INTERPOL Orange Notice?

a) To seek the location and arrest of dangerous criminals

b) To provide information on modus operandi used by terrorists

c) To warn of an event, person, object, or process representing a serious threat to public safety

d) To identify missing persons, especially minors

Answer: c) To warn of an event, person, object, or process representing a serious threat to public safety

Q8. How many INTERPOL Regional Bureaus are there?

a) 3

b) 5

c) 6

d) 8

Answer: c) 6

Q9. Which language is not one of the working languages of the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF)?

a) English

b) French

c) Spanish

d) Chinese

Answer: d) Chinese

Q10. Who is the current President of INTERPOL as of 2023?

a) Ronald K. Noble

b) Ahmed Naser al-Raisi

c) Jurgen Stock

d) Andre Bossard

Answer: b) Ahmed Naser al-Raisi

Q11. How many countries are currently connected with INTERPOL’s ICSE database?

a) 45

b) 58

c) 68

d) 75

Answer: c) 68

Q12. What does the INTERPOL DNA database primarily help with?

a) Identifying missing persons and unidentified human remains

b) Tracking international drug trafficking routes

c) Collecting information on organized crime syndicates

d) Identifying counterfeit currency

Answer: a) Identifying missing persons and unidentified human remains

Q13. Who was the first Secretary General of INTERPOL?

a) Jurgen Stock

b) Oskar Dressler

c) Ronald K. Noble

d) Ahmed Naser al-Raisi

Answer: b) Oskar Dressler

Q14. INTERPOL created a DNA database to help link international crimes. Today, more than 80 countries contribute DNA profiles of offenders and crime scenes. It can also be used for which of the following purposes?

a) To identify missing persons and unidentified human remains.

b) To track wildlife trafficking.

c) To monitor cybercrime.

d) To identify counterfeit currency.

Answer: a) To identify missing persons and unidentified human remains.

Q15. What is the main function of the INTERPOL Purple Notice?

a) To locate and arrest dangerous criminals.

b) To identify missing persons.

c) To collect information on modus operandi used by criminals.

d) To provide information on counterfeit currency.

Answer: c) To collect information on modus operandi used by criminals.

Q16. How many types of Notices are there in INTERPOL?

a) 4

b) 6

c) 8

d) 10

Answer: c) 8

Q17. What is the official name of Interpol?

a) The International Crime Police Organization.

b) The International Police Organization.

c) The International Criminal Police Organization.

d) The International Law Enforcement Organization.

Answer: c) The International Criminal Police Organization.

Q18. Which agency is designated as a contact point for INTERPOL in India as National Central Bureau – New Delhi (NCB – New Delhi)?

a) Indian Police Service (IPS).

b) Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

c) Ministry of Home Affairs.

d) Border Security Force (BSF).

Answer: b) Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Q19. What is the main function of the INTERPOL Green Notice?

a) To locate and arrest criminals involved in environmental crimes.

b) To provide information on missing persons, especially minors.

c) To collect information on modus operandi used by terrorists.

d) To seek information on unidentified bodies.

Answer: a) To locate and arrest criminals involved in environmental crimes.

Q20. Which international organization hosts the INTERPOL General Assembly, where member countries make important decisions about the organization’s policies and activities?

a) United Nations (UN)

b) World Health Organization (WHO)

c) INTERPOL itself

d) European Union (EU)

Answer: c) INTERPOL itself

Q21. What is the primary function of the INTERPOL ICSE (Stolen Motor Vehicles) database?

a) To locate and recover stolen motor vehicles

b) To track wildlife trafficking

c) To monitor cybercrime activities

d) To collect information on counterfeit currency

Answer: a) To locate and recover stolen motor vehicles

Q22. Who is responsible for overseeing INTERPOL’s financial management and ensuring its financial integrity?

a) INTERPOL President

b) INTERPOL Secretary General

c) INTERPOL General Assembly

d) INTERPOL Audit Committee

Answer: d) INTERPOL Audit Committee

Q23. In addition to law enforcement agencies, which other entities can access certain INTERPOL databases?

a) Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

b) Private corporations

c) The general public

d) International media outlets

Answer: a) Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

Q24. Which color notice is used by INTERPOL to provide information on modus operandi used by criminals?

a) Red Notice

b) Blue Notice

c) Purple Notice

d) Green Notice

Answer: c) Purple Notice

Q25. What is the primary function of the INTERPOL Blue Notice?

a) To locate and arrest dangerous criminals

b) To identify missing persons

c) To collect information on modus operandi used by terrorists

d) To provide information on counterfeit currency

Answer: c) To collect information on modus operandi used by terrorists

Important Functions of Interpol

Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, serves several important functions in facilitating international police cooperation and combating transnational crime. Some of its key functions include:

Information Exchange: Interpol provides a secure platform for member countries to share intelligence, information, and data related to criminal activities, enabling law enforcement agencies to stay informed about global threats and criminal networks.
Criminal Databases: Interpol maintains various databases, including those for stolen property, missing persons, and international fugitives. These databases assist member countries in identifying and tracking criminals and criminal activities across borders.
Notices: Interpol issues various color-coded notices, including Red Notices (requesting the location and provisional arrest of wanted persons), Blue Notices (collecting information about a person’s identity or activities), and others, to assist in locating and apprehending suspects.
Operational Support: Interpol can provide operational support to member countries during complex investigations, crisis situations, or major events. This includes deploying specialized teams, such as the Incident Response Teams (IRTs), to assist in disaster relief or security operations.
Counterterrorism: Interpol plays a significant role in facilitating international efforts to combat terrorism by providing member countries with information on suspected terrorists, their activities, and related threats.
Environmental Crime: Interpol focuses on combating environmental crimes, such as illegal wildlife trafficking and environmental pollution, by coordinating international efforts and sharing intelligence.
Cybercrime: Interpol assists member countries in addressing cybercrime threats by offering specialized support and expertise in dealing with cyberattacks, online fraud, and digital evidence.
Capacity Building: Interpol provides training programs and capacity-building initiatives to law enforcement agencies in member countries, enhancing their skills and knowledge in various areas of policing and crime prevention.
Border Security: Interpol supports member countries in enhancing border security by sharing information about stolen passports, fraudulent travel documents, and other identity-related issues.
Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation: Interpol works to combat human trafficking and child exploitation by assisting in the identification and rescue of victims and the apprehension of traffickers.
Drug Trafficking: Interpol coordinates efforts to combat drug trafficking by sharing intelligence and supporting law enforcement agencies in tracking drug-related criminal networks.
Capacity Enhancement: Interpol helps member countries improve their law enforcement capabilities through the provision of resources, expertise, and training, contributing to global security and crime prevention.

How Does Interpol Operate

Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, operates as an intergovernmental organization that facilitates international police cooperation and coordination. Here’s an overview of how Interpol operates:

Membership: Interpol has 195 member countries as of my last knowledge update in September 2021. Each member country has its own National Central Bureau (NCB), which serves as a liaison between its national law enforcement agencies and Interpol’s General Secretariat.
General Assembly: Interpol’s decision-making body is the General Assembly, where member countries convene annually to discuss and make decisions on matters related to the organization’s policies, programs, and budget.
General Secretariat: The day-to-day operations of Interpol are managed by the General Secretariat, which is headquartered in Lyon, France. The General Secretariat is responsible for coordinating activities, maintaining databases, issuing notices, and providing support to member countries.
National Central Bureaus (NCBs): Each member country has an NCB that serves as a communication hub between Interpol’s General Secretariat and its national law enforcement agencies. NCBs are responsible for sending and receiving information, requests, and notices to and from Interpol.
Communication and Information Exchange: Interpol provides a secure global police communication system called I-24/7, which allows member countries to share information, intelligence, and data related to criminal activities in real-time. This system facilitates rapid and secure communication among law enforcement agencies worldwide.
Databases: Interpol maintains various databases, including those for stolen property, missing persons, fingerprints, DNA profiles, and international fugitives. These databases assist member countries in identifying and tracking criminals and criminal activities across borders.
Notices: Interpol issues color-coded notices to alert member countries about individuals or objects of interest. The most well-known is the Red Notice, which seeks the location and provisional arrest of wanted persons. Other notices include Blue Notices (collecting information), Green Notices (warning about criminal activities), and more.
Operational Support: Interpol can deploy specialized teams, known as Incident Response Teams (IRTs), to assist member countries during major events, crisis situations, or complex investigations. These teams provide expertise and resources to address specific challenges.
Capacity Building: Interpol conducts training programs, workshops, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance the skills and knowledge of law enforcement agencies in member countries. This training covers various aspects of policing, including cybercrime, counterterrorism, and human trafficking.
International Cooperation: Interpol fosters international collaboration by connecting law enforcement agencies, facilitating joint operations, and promoting the sharing of best practices in crime prevention and investigation.
Legal Framework: Interpol operates within a legal framework governed by its Constitution and General Regulations, ensuring that its activities align with international law and respect human rights principles.