British candidate to lead Interpol says international law enforcement agency is ... trends now
The British candidate to lead Interpol believes the international law enforcement agency is needed more than ever to tackle criminals operating across borders.
Stephen Kavanagh, one of the UK's most senior policing officials, said he has implemented new measures to stop autocratic regimes from abusing Interpol alerts to arrest dissidents.
The alerts, which are effectively 'wanted' notices issued to Interpol members, have been used by Russia in the past to detain whistleblowers who have spoken out about corruption and human rights abuses.
Kavanagh, who hopes to succeed Interpol's current head, Jürgen Stock of Germany, has placed this measure at the centre of his campaign to become the next secretary-general of Interpol.
Speaking to The Times, Kavanagh, who is backed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, said Interpol had a 'unique lens' on international crime with its ability to work with the law enforcement agencies of its 196 member states.
Stephen Kavanagh (pictured), one of the UK's most senior policing officials, said he has implemented new measures to stop autocratic regimes from abusing Interpol alerts to arrest dissidents
Kavanagh, who has been Interpol's executive director for police services since 2020, praised the agency's ability in combating crime such as child sexual exploitation, firearms dealing and fraud to other offences enabled by AI.
'Children going to school today, retired people sitting in their homes, businesses — they are all under threat not just from actors in their city or town but from those who are sitting on the other side of the world,' he said.
'We need Interpol more than we've ever needed them.'
Britain's government was previously alarmed when China appeared willing to contest the election, but they did not follow
