die  Interpol

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɪntɛʁˈpɔl/

🌍 What does 'die Interpol' mean?

Die Interpol is the short name for the Internationale Kriminalpolizeiliche Organisation (IKPO), the International Criminal Police Organization. It's an international organization founded to support crime fighting by national police authorities. It facilitates cross-border police cooperation.

The name 'Interpol' is a portmanteau of 'International' and 'Police'. Because the German word for 'organization', die Organisation, is feminine, the article used in German is die.

⚠️ It's important to note that Interpol itself does not have executive powers like making arrests but serves as a coordination and information hub.

🧐 Grammar of 'die Interpol'

The word 'Interpol' is a proper noun (of an organization) and is treated as feminine in German. It is usually used without a plural form, as it refers to a unique organization.

Declension (Singular)

Note: Often, 'Interpol' is also used without an article, especially in headlines or when speaking generally about the organization (e.g., "Interpol warnt vor..." - "Interpol warns about..."). If an article is used, it is 'die'.

Example Sentences

1. Die Interpol hat eine internationale Fahndung eingeleitet. (Interpol has initiated an international search.)
2. Deutschland ist Mitglied der Interpol. (Germany is a member of Interpol.)
3. Die Polizei arbeitet eng mit der Interpol zusammen. (The police work closely with Interpol.)
4. Der gesuchte Verbrecher wurde durch die Interpol weltweit zur Fahndung ausgeschrieben. (The wanted criminal was put on a worldwide wanted list by Interpol.)

💡 Usage in Context

The term 'die Interpol' is mainly used in contexts related to international crime, police work, and global security.

• International Wanted Notices: When searching for individuals presumed to be abroad ("Die Interpol sucht nach dem Flüchtigen." - "Interpol is looking for the fugitive.").
• Police Cooperation: When describing cooperation between police authorities of different countries ("Dank der Interpol konnten Beweise ausgetauscht werden." - "Thanks to Interpol, evidence could be exchanged.").
• News and Media: In reports on organized crime, terrorism, or other cross-border crimes.

Compared to national police agencies like the BKA (Bundeskriminalamt) in Germany, die Interpol has a purely coordinating and supporting function at the international level.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

↔️ Synonyms and Differentiation

Similar Terms (Potential for Confusion!)

• Europol: The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation. Similar function, but limited to Europe.
• Bundespolizei / Landespolizei: National or regional police forces in Germany with executive powers.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Computer bei Interpol gekündigt?
(Why did the computer at Interpol quit?)

Er hatte zu viele internationale Probleme auf seiner Festplatte! 💾🌍
(It had too many international problems on its hard drive!)

📜 Poem about Interpol

Wo Grenzen Täter nicht mehr halten,
(Where borders no longer hold offenders,)
wo Netze sich global entfalten,
(Where networks unfold globally,)
da wirkt sie, still und informiert,
(There it operates, quiet and informed,)
die Interpol, koordiniert.
(Interpol, coordinated.)

Von Lyon aus gehen die Depeschen,
(From Lyon, the dispatches go,)
um dunkle Pläne zu zerbrechen.
(To shatter dark plans.)
Für Sicherheit auf weiter Flur,
(For safety far and wide,)
folgt sie der internationalen Spur.
(It follows the international trail.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe Büros fast überall,
(I have offices almost everywhere,)
doch fange selbst nie einen Kriminellenfall.
(But never catch a criminal case myself.)
Ich teile Wissen, schnell und weit,
(I share knowledge, fast and wide,)
für weltweite Polizeiarbeit.
(For worldwide police work.)
Mein Name klingt nach 'zwischen' und Gesetzeshut.
(My name sounds like 'between' and the law's hat.)

Wer bin ich? / Who am I?... Die Interpol

🌐 Other Information

• Headquarters: Lyon, France.
• Foundation: Originally founded in 1923 in Vienna as the International Criminal Police Commission (ICPC), re-established under its current name in 1946/1956.
• Members: Almost all countries in the world are member states (over 190).
• Word Composition: As mentioned, from Inter(national) and Pol(ice/Polizei).
• Wanted Person Notices: The 'Red Notices' are well-known, international requests to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition.