Karl Lesjak is a twenty-two year veteran of the Austrian National Police (ANP) joining the police force in 1986 after serving one year in the Austrian Army.  Just prior to being seconded to INTERPOL in 2003, Mr Lesjak served as the Head of the Narcotics and Organized Crime department and Federal Drug co-ordinator of the ANP. 

In this capacity Mr Lesjak was responsible for all policy matters, operational issues and investigations regarding drugs, money laundering, and organized crime.  He was, and continues to be, an internationally recognized expert in investigations and the response to major crimes. Upon being seconded to INTERPOL, Mr Lesjak was assigned as first Assistant Director of the Command and Co-ordination Center to help establish the Command and Co-ordination Center to deal with real time crime and disaster response. 

In 2006, he was appointed Assistant Director of the Crisis and Major Events to extend INTERPOL’s support and assistance to member countries, in the fields of crisis response and major event preparation.  Mr Lesjak is the holder of a law degree from the University of Vienna.  He is a member of numerous law enforcement associations and has served, in an expert capacity, on several International and European commissions dealing with a wide variety of law enforcement and legal issues.