The Interpol Strategic Advisory Panel (ISAP) has proposed that Interpol and the United Nations stage a joint crisis response simulation exercise to develop greater international co-ordination for global disasters.
ISAP, which was formed in June 2005 to help Interpol address the threat of global terrorism, transnational crime and advances in technologically sophisticated crime, endorsed the organization of a table-top exercise with the UN which would bring together senior officials from international bodies and non-governmental organisations.
The exercise, which could be staged in 2006, would be the first step in creating a professional, structured and reliable method for the rapid international deployment of resources to crises such as terrorist attacks or natural disasters, says Interpol.
What they say
"We have all witnessed the tragedies, both natural and deliberate, in recent years, all of which have needed a fast, effective reaction from a range of agencies, including police, humanitarian and health," said Interpol President Jackie Selebi. "This proposal to hold a joint Interpol and UN crisis response simulation will help to ensure that in the future the appropriate help is given to those who need it most, when they need it most."
Following the Asian tsunami in December 2004, Interpol launched what it calls its biggest-ever operational response to help co-ordinate international disaster victim identification efforts and to provide logistical and communications support to affected authorities.
Members of ISAP also called on President Selebi to convene a global meeting of police from Interpolโs member countries to reinforce the organisationโs opposition to torture.
"We have agreed on a series of far-reaching resolutions which we believe will have a major impact on policing throughout the world and which could only be implemented by Interpol due to its unique role in international law enforcement," said ISAP Chairman and former Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police Service, Lord Stevens.
"President Selebi, who has already made a significant contribution in the area of human rights, is the ideal person to bring together police services from around the world for this purpose," Lord Stevens added.
The panel also recommended that Interpol support and facilitate the training and ongoing education of police in its member countries through academies, universities and research institutions, and encourage ongoing educational efforts and co-operative agreements between National Central Bureaus (NCBs) and the relevant judicial powers in member countries. It was also agreed that to further enhance international police co-operation, each Interpol member country should strengthen its NCBs and strive to second a police officer to either the General Secretariat in Lyon, France, or to one of Interpolโs regional bureaus. The next ISAP meeting will be held in Lyon in February 2006, when the General Secretariat will report on progress.
