FBI's James Comey Swears in New Interpol Washington Director

On November 17, 2015, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation James B. Comey administered the oath of office for new Interpol Washington Director Geoffrey S. Shank. The installation ceremony was held in the Great Hall of the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building. Director Comey provided remarks that highlighted the values of partnership and cooperation, underlining both the domestic and international work of Interpol Washington. He also congratulated the members of Director Shank’s family, who were in attendance at the ceremony.

Other guest speakers at the event included Acting Director of the U.S. Marshals Service, Director Shank’s home agency, David L. Harlow; Assistant Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Alan D. Bersin; and Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Controller and recently elected Interpol Executive Committee Delegate, Jolene A. Lauria.

After taking the oath of office, Director Shank addressed the audience by acknowledging the challenges that law enforcement faces in the future and Interpol Washington’s commitment to adopting the methods necessary to bring international criminals to justice. “In order to continue to be effective in this world, law enforcement must evolve as our enemies do,” said Director Shank. “By continuing to grow the information nexus that is Interpol Washington, we improve our nation’s effective counterweight to the criminal and terrorist networks of the Information Age.”

Among those in attendance were Associate Deputy Attorney General Armando Bonilla; representatives from domestic federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies; representatives of international partners and embassies such as Mexico, Montenegro, and Turkey; and the staff of Interpol Washington, who the Director thanked profusely for their dedication to the agency, justice, and public service.