A delegation of 52 American law-enforcement officers from 12 states, has arrived in Israel for the second consecutive year to train in counterterrorism tactics together with their Israeli counterparts.
During their stay, the United States delegation is housed at the Beit Shemesh police academy, where officers will meet with special combat units, train in counterterrorism techniques, and be addressed by Police Commissioner Roni Alsheich, The Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday.
The delegation is set to return to the U.S. after a September 11 memorial service to be held at the 9/11 Living Memorial Plaza in the Arazim Valley.
Michael Safris, chief of the Essex County’s Sheriff’s Office Deputy Division, who is Jewish said he has visited Israel 40 times and, in return, hosted numerous Israeli police delegation in the U.S. over the past ten years.
“From all my trips, I know the delegation forms an important relationship, and if something happens in the U.S. or something happens here, we stay in touch and honor each country’s fallen officers,” Safris said. “The relationship and comradery developed over the last two years is one of the reasons we keep coming,” he added.
Safri also explained how the struggle for survival sets Israeli police apart from other forces in the world. “In our communities, for a lot of police officers, it’s a job,” he said, adding that “I think that it’s more than a job for a lot of the officers in Israel because they are protecting their homeland.”
by thetower.org staff
