INTERPOL's distinctive signs
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| The official abbreviations |
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The official abbreviations are:
- 'O.I.P.C.', which stands for 'Organisation internationale de police criminelle'
- 'ICPO', which stands for 'International Criminal Police Organization'.
| The official name is 'ICPO-INTERPOL' |
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The word 'INTERPOL' is a contraction of 'international police',
and was chosen in 1946 as the telegraphic address.
In 1956, the International Criminal Police Commission changed its name to become
the International Criminal Police Organization - INTERPOL.
The emblem, in use since 1950, comprises the following elements:
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- a representation of the globe, to indicate that INTERPOL's
activities are worldwide
- olive branches either side of the globe to symbolize
peace
- the name 'INTERPOL' below the globe in the centre
of the olive branches
- a vertical sword behind the globe, representing police
action
- the abbreviations 'OIPC' and 'ICPO' above the globe
either side of the sword
- the scales below the olive branches symbolize justice.
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The flag has been in use since 1950:
- it has a light-blue background
- the emblem is in the centre
- the four lightning flashes arranged symmetrically around the emblem represent
telecommunications and speed in police action.
| Background to the organization's
distinctive signs |
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- At the 1947 General Assembly session in Paris, it was recommended that all
member states adopt the name 'INTERPOL' as the telegraphic address (Resolution
AGN/16/RES/12)
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At the 1949 General Assembly session in Berne, the organization (then
known as the International Criminal Police Commission) adopted the INTERPOL
emblem and flag
- At the 1956 General Assembly session in Vienna, the name 'International
Criminal Police Organization' was adopted
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At the 1958 General Assembly session in London, member states were asked
to take measures to protect the word 'INTERPOL' (AGN/27/RES/1)
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At its 1961 session in Copenhagen, the General Assembly recommended that
members take further measures to protect the name 'ICPO-INTERPOL' from unauthorized
use (AGN/30/RES/6)
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At the 1972 General Assembly session in Frankfurt, Indonesia proposed that
INTERPOL's emblem be modified so that all regions would be represented.
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At the 1973 General Assembly session in Vienna, the emblem was modified,
and now depicts all the regions of the world.
| Protection of the distinctive signs |
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As an international organization, INTERPOL's distinctive signs are protected
by the 1883 Paris Convention.
Under the terms of Article 6 of this Convention, which has been ratified by
the majority of INTERPOL's member states, the signatory countries have agreed
to refuse to register as trademarks and ban the use of coats of arms, flags,
emblems, initials and names of states and intergovernmental organizations.
The organization's emblem and the name 'INTERPOL' have, in addition, been registered
as European Community and US trademarks.
| Authorization to use INTERPOL's distinctive
signs |
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In exceptional cases, the organization may authorize a third party to use its
distinctive signs. Authorization can only be given by INTERPOL's Secretary General.
In any event, authorization to use the organization's distinctive signs is
limited:
- authorization is given for a specific, identified project
- the duration of the authorization is specified
- authorization does not confer any exclusive rights
- the authorization specifies that the organization's signs may not be modified
or adapted.
Where appropriate, the media (documents, films, etc.) must be submitted to
the organization for approval before publication.
The organization may automatically revoke the entitlement to use its distinctive
signs if it transpires that the project for which the organization has given
its agreement is likely to prejudice its reputation or image.
