NCJ Number
180384
Date Published
1999
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This booklet describes the organization of the Israel National Police (INP), it faces, and the reasons for and characteristics of the INP's adoption and implementation of community policing.
Abstract
The INP is Israel's one national police service, which is under the charge of the Minister of Public Security. This national service, with its headquarters in Jerusalem, is organized geographically into 6 regions or districts and 13 subdistricts; services are delivered to the public from 67 local police stations. In 1995 the INP embarked on the long and complex process of developing and applying the strategy of community policing. Community policing is now the focus of INP work and philosophy in and with municipalities throughout the country. Community policing in Israel focuses on improving the quality of life in Israel by operating police and municipal services as one integrated system, thus focusing the community's resources on common ends. Police and community agencies conduct joint public information/education campaigns in an attempt to reduce selected aspects of offending. The police focus on solving problems that particularly concern the public. By establishing citizen-friendly Service Centers in local police stations and by decentralizing police services to town districts and neighborhoods, the police have adopted a service-oriented approach. The key elements of community policing in Israel are partnerships with community organizations, the business sector, national organizations, and academic institutions.