International Day of Police Cooperation
September 7
About International Day of Police Cooperation
The International Day of Police Cooperation is a United Nations observance held every year on 7 September. It recognises the work of police and law enforcement officers around the world and highlights the value of international cooperation in preventing and combating crime, terrorism and transnational threats. The day was established by the UN General Assembly in 2022 and first marked in 2023.
What is the International Day of Police Cooperation?
The International Day of Police Cooperation is an annual observance dedicated to the global law enforcement community and the partnerships that connect police forces across borders. It draws attention to the importance of coordinated action against crime that does not respect national boundaries, including organised crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime and terrorism. The observance is supported by the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Policing, which is co-chaired by the UN Department of Peace Operations and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and works closely with INTERPOL. Each year the day carries a theme that reflects current challenges facing policing worldwide.
When is the International Day of Police Cooperation?
The International Day of Police Cooperation takes place on 7 September every year. In 2026 it falls on Monday, 7 September. The date is fixed and does not change from year to year, which makes it straightforward to plan events, briefings and awareness activities around it. The choice of 7 September is significant: it marks the anniversary of the founding of the International Criminal Police Commission, the predecessor of INTERPOL, on 7 September 1923.
Why the International Day of Police Cooperation Matters
Crime increasingly operates across borders, and no single country can tackle transnational threats on its own. International police cooperation allows investigators to share intelligence, trace suspects and recover victims far more effectively than they could acting alone. INTERPOL, the world’s largest police organisation, now connects 196 member countries, giving law enforcement a near-global network for exchanging data and coordinating operations. The observance underlines the founding UN resolution’s call to strengthen cooperation at the global, regional and sub-regional levels to prevent and combat transnational organised crime and terrorism. It also recognises the personal risk that officers take on, and the role of women in policing, who remain under-represented in many forces despite their proven impact on community trust and effectiveness.
How to Get Involved in the International Day of Police Cooperation
There are many ways for individuals, organisations and police services to mark the day:
- Thank your local officers – A simple message of appreciation to a local police service recognises the people who keep communities safe and acknowledges the wider international network they belong to.
- Learn about INTERPOL and UN policing – Spend time reading about how cross-border investigations work, from red notices to joint operations, so you understand the scale of global cooperation.
- Share the annual theme – Each year the UN sets a theme, such as the role of technology and artificial intelligence in policing. Sharing it helps spark informed discussion among your network.
- Support women in policing – The inaugural day in 2023 highlighted women in law enforcement. Promoting greater representation helps build more effective and trusted services.
- Host a talk or briefing – Schools, universities and community groups can invite a serving officer to explain how international cooperation protects ordinary people from organised crime.
- Promote crime prevention – Use the day to share practical advice on staying safe from fraud, cybercrime and scams, which often originate overseas.
- Recognise fallen officers – Take a moment to honour officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, both at home and on peacekeeping missions abroad.
- Engage on social media – Post using the day’s hashtags to amplify official messages from the UN, INTERPOL and national police services.
History of the International Day of Police Cooperation
The International Day of Police Cooperation was created by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 77/241, adopted on 16 December 2022. The resolution was proposed in recognition of the growing need for coordinated action against crime that crosses national borders, and it designated 7 September as the date for the annual observance.
The choice of date was deliberate. On 7 September 1923, the International Criminal Police Commission was established in Vienna. That organisation later became INTERPOL, which celebrated its centenary in 2023. The first International Day of Police Cooperation therefore coincided with INTERPOL’s hundredth anniversary, a fitting alignment that linked the new observance to a century of international law enforcement collaboration.
Since its inception, the day has been led by the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Policing, a group of 16 UN entities, working alongside INTERPOL and national authorities. Each year an official theme draws attention to a pressing issue, from the role of women in policing in 2023, to police integrity, accountability and oversight in 2024, and the use of information technology and artificial intelligence in policing in 2025.
Noteworthy Facts About the International Day of Police Cooperation
- The day was established by UN General Assembly Resolution 77/241, adopted on 16 December 2022.
- It is observed annually on 7 September, the anniversary of the founding of INTERPOL’s predecessor in 1923.
- The first observance in 2023 coincided with INTERPOL’s centenary.
- INTERPOL connects 196 member countries, making it the world’s largest police organisation.
- The observance is supported by a UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Policing made up of 16 UN entities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the International Day of Police Cooperation?
It is a United Nations observance held on 7 September each year that recognises the global law enforcement community and the international partnerships that help prevent and combat crime, terrorism and transnational threats.
When is the International Day of Police Cooperation in 2026?
It falls on Monday, 7 September 2026. The date is fixed and is observed on 7 September every year.
Why is 7 September the chosen date?
It marks the anniversary of the founding of the International Criminal Police Commission, the forerunner of INTERPOL, on 7 September 1923. The inaugural day in 2023 coincided with INTERPOL’s hundredth anniversary.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing the International Day of Police Cooperation with your friends, family and followers. Use the hashtags #PoliceCooperationDay and #PoliceCooperationDay2026 on social media. The more people who understand how international policing protects communities, the bigger the impact.
Related Awareness Days
- National Crime Prevention Month – A month dedicated to practical steps communities can take to reduce crime, complementing the global focus of police cooperation.
- International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers – Honours UN personnel, including police, who serve on peacekeeping missions around the world.
- World Day against Trafficking in Persons – Highlights a transnational crime that depends on exactly the kind of cross-border cooperation this day promotes.
Links
- Visit the official United Nations International Day of Police Cooperation page
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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