Cambodia and Vietnam have become the first Southeast Asian countries to adopt a global database through Interpol to help track cross-border crimes, taking part in a pilot project that could mean more law enforcement communication across the region.
Interpol says its database currently contains over 30 million entries from more than 150 countries. Through the pilot project, two regional offices and 12 border control points in Cambodia and Vietnam are now connected to the database.
“That means both countries took the Interpol equipment ahead of Asean’s other countries,” said Sok Phal, deputy national police chief in charge of security.
He declined to give details, citing national security, but said the pilot project will end after a one-year trial.
The global database helps law enforcement officers in Interpol countries share “sensitive and urgent police information,” according to Interpol’s website. “Authorized users can search and cross-check data in a matter of seconds, with direct access to databases on suspected criminals or wanted persons, stolen and lost travel documents, stolen motor vehicles, fingerprints, DNA profiles, stolen administrative documents and stolen works of art.”
Interpol equipment linked to the database has been installed in Cambodia since June, officials said.