INTERPOL TO SET UP GLOBAL FACILITY IN SINGAPORE

By Zakaria Abdul Wahab

SINGAPORE, Nov 10 (Bernama) -– Interpol will establish a global facility in
the republic to enhance its global policing capabilities.

The decision to locate the Interpol Global Complex (IGC) in the city-state
was reached at the Interpol General Assembly meeting at its 79th session held in
Doha, Qatar.

The republic’s Home Affairs Ministry said Wednesday, the agreement to
establish the IGC was signed by Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam and
Interpol Secretary-General Ronald K. Noble yesterday.

In a statement, the ministry said the location of the IGC in Singapore
reflected the significant confidence the international policing community had in
the city state to play a key role in widening the reach of the Interpol
organisation.

The IGC here will act as a complementary global central facility to the
Interpol Headquarters currently located in Lyon, France.

The key functions of the local IGC will include conducting cutting-edge
research in the identification of crime and criminals, meeting the demand for
technology, and innovation-based police capacity building, and enhancing
Interpol’s capacity to provide 24/7 operational support across time zones.

Noble said the decision to enhance Interpol presence in Asia Pacific was
made in view of the region’s status as the new centre of economic activity and
the anticipated corresponding increase in criminal activity.

Interpol has identified Singapore as the city state was a trusted hub with a
huge presence of multinational corporations, and a strong research and
development culture, as well as a highly-skilled talent pool.

The IGC is expected to eventually house some 300 staff, comprising both law
enforcement officers seconded from police forces of Interpol member countries,
and staff directly employed by Interpol.

-- BERNAMA