US Police in Israel for Training - Anti-Defamation League sponsored

[MikeWB]

US Police in Israel for Training - Anti-Defamation League (New York)


Coinciding with 9/11, U.S. Law Enforcement Officers Learn Counterterrorism Strategies From Israeli Counterparts

http://adl.org/PresRele/IslME_62/5357_62.htm

New York, NY, September 10, 2008

Coinciding with the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a group of U.S. law enforcement professionals is in Israel, where they are learning advanced counterterrorism strategies from their Israeli counterparts.

 The delegation of more than a dozen chiefs of police from major cities across the United States is visiting Israel as part of weeklong mission organized by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).  The program brings the U.S. law enforcement officers into contact with Israeli law enforcement and security officers and terrorism experts to learn about Israel's strategies to prevent terror attacks.  They see firsthand how Israeli emergency officials and responders prepare for terrorist attacks in a nation that can never let down its guard.

 "There is a lot to learn from Israel's approach to countering terrorism, and we believe that it is a wonderful opportunity for police chiefs from the United States to understand how Israel stands up to the threat everyday," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.  "The lesson of 9/11 is that we can never let down our guard, and that police and others in the law enforcement community must have the tools of the trade and the knowledge of what strategies are available out there to help deter the threat of terrorism."

On September 10, the U.S. police chiefs observed a training exercise involving an Israeli police counterterrorism SWAT Team in Holon, near Tel Aviv.  They also have gained exposure to innovative techniques Israel has developed to maintain the safety of its citizens, including surveillance of malls and city streets and security procedures at airports and border crossings.  The officers have been briefed by the bomb squad and security service; viewed border crossings along the Palestinian-Israeli border; toured the West Bank city of Hebron, a flashpoint of religious and ethnic conflict; and visited sites of past suicide bombings.

ADL has trained thousands of law enforcement professionals about hate crimes, extremism and domestic and international terrorism at conferences and seminars throughout the U.S.  Also, a number of top Israeli National Police commanders have traveled to the U.S. during the past years to share their expertise as part of ADL's training program.

The following cities have representatives on the ADL's Nation Counter-Terrorism Seminar in Israel: Bethesda, MD; Durham, NC; Green Bay, WI; Lexington, KY; Madison, WI; Mesa, AZ; Miami, FL; Mobile, AL;  Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Salt Lake City, UT; Scottsdale, AZ; Tucker, GA; and Virginia Beach, VA.

The police chiefs are scheduled return to the U.S. on September 15.