In a speech in 2006, the Secretary General of the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO) referred to Interpol as ‘the world’s largest international police organization, the world’s only global police organization, and the world’s most effective international police body’. With 188 member countries the ICPO is the second largest international organization after the United Nations , based on intergovernmental cooperation between domestic law enforcement services, the so called National Central Bureaus (NCB). In times when transnational (organized) crime and terrorism increase exceedingly through globalization and the internationalization of transportation and communication systems as well as international trade, the global role of Interpol and the need to react rapidly and effectively emerge as well. Whenever two or more countries are involved in a criminal act, it is a matter of the International Criminal Police Organization.
National police agencies adopt a double role: As a states executive branch they are not fully independent from political interventions. The national justice system and the securing of civil society are subjects to the state in order to control social violence and destruction, and to protect the citizens from victimization in the domestic arena. In short: It is a matter of state sovereignty. Related to the international level and the membership in Interpol, the police can instead not be equated with national governments. The NCBs are the `key element[s] in the day-to-day performance of the tasks identified with Interpol´ and are consequently political actors in international relations.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 State of Research
2.1 Theories of International Cooperation
2.2 The Object of Investigation: The ICPO - Interpol
3 Theoretical Framework & Hypotheses Generation
3.1 The Dependent Variable
3.2 Explanatory Independent Variables
4 Methodology
4.1 Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Research (fsQCA)
4.2 Operationalization of (in)dependent variables
4.3 Case Selection
5 Conclusion
6 Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the conditions that influence the effectiveness of international police cooperation via Interpol. The research seeks to identify necessary and sufficient variables—such as capacity, level of crime, public support, and police autonomy—that determine the degree of participation of national police forces within the I-24/7 global communication network.
- Analysis of cooperation theories in the context of international law enforcement.
- Evaluation of Interpol as a unique, non-supranational organizational structure.
- Development of a theoretical framework for operationalizing state participation.
- Application of Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) on fifteen selected sovereign states.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 The dependent variable
Criminals in modern times use the entire world as their field of operations, while police and law enforcement systems remain within national boundaries. To counter transnational criminal activities, there is - referring to former Secretary-General Bossard - only one way: `international cooperation among states, while respecting national sovereignties.´ (Bossard 1988: 177)
The degree to which national police forces interact with each other to enhance security is a latent variable eluding concrete observability and empirical measurability. In order to elaborate indicators that measure it indirectly, a precise terminology is indispensable. Cooperation in international police affairs here refers to a country´s participation within the technical communications structures provided by Interpol. The de jure membership of a national police force, may it be the US American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Chinese NCB or any other national law enforcement authority, does not automatically result in de facto participation.
To ensure unobstructed and effective cooperation across national borders two conditions have to be met: National police forces have to fully implement the I-24/7 system by providing law enforcement officials all over the country with access to the network and – even more important – they have to use it by providing and requesting sensitive data on suspects, criminals and fugitives. These indicators ensure that each national NCB accomplishes its `triple responsibility to maintain (1) open channels to all police units in its own country, (2) connections with NCBs of all other member countries, and (3) liaison with the General Secretariat.´ (Fooner 1989: 116; see also Interpol 2010a: Constitution)
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Introduces the role of Interpol as a global police network and defines the research question regarding the conditions for effective international cooperation.
2 State of Research: Reviews existing theories on international cooperation and discusses the academic perception of Interpol as both a technical organization and a data-processing regime.
3 Theoretical Framework & Hypotheses Generation: Establishes a rational-actor model and defines four key independent variables (Capacity, Level of crime, Public support, Police autonomy) affecting the dependent variable of participation.
4 Methodology: Details the application of fsQCA, explaining the seven-value fuzzy set coding and the rationale behind the selection of fifteen sovereign states for the study.
5 Conclusion: Summarizes the study's goal to test hypotheses via fsQCA and acknowledges potential challenges in data acquisition regarding Interpol's restricted databases.
6 Bibliography: Provides a comprehensive list of literature and sources utilized in the research process.
Key Terms
Interpol, International Police Cooperation, Transnational Crime, I-24/7, fsQCA, National Central Bureaus, Sovereignty, Capacity, Public Support, Police Autonomy, Community Policing, Rational Actors, Interdependence, Security Dilemma, Law Enforcement
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper investigates the factors that determine how effectively different countries participate in international police cooperation through Interpol.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the mechanics of the I-24/7 communication network, the role of National Central Bureaus (NCBs), and how institutional and societal conditions influence police engagement in international security efforts.
What is the primary research objective?
The objective is to identify which conditions, such as technical capacity or police autonomy, are necessary or sufficient for a state to actively participate in the Interpol network.
Which scientific method is applied?
The author uses Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), which allows for a nuanced evaluation of conditions and outcomes across fifteen different countries.
What is the main subject of the chapters?
The chapters transition from a theoretical overview and literature review to the formulation of specific hypotheses, followed by a detailed methodology and the justification for case selection.
Which keywords best characterize this study?
Key terms include Interpol, fsQCA, international police cooperation, transnational crime, and police autonomy.
Why are 'failed states' excluded from the research sample?
The author excludes failed states because their lack of sovereignty makes it impossible for them to guarantee a stable government authority or the necessary infrastructure to maintain a functioning police agency.
How is 'participation' measured within this study?
Participation is measured as a latent variable using the implementation of the I-24/7 system and the frequency of data requests and provision as indicators of de facto engagement.
- Quote paper
- Ron Böhler (Author), 2010, Policing the World without a World Police. Assessing the Conditions of International Police Cooperation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/376507
