Israelis tutor Mich. cops
Visiting officials meet with law enforcement from across the state to share anti-terror strategies.
LIVONIA — About 200 law enforcement officers from throughout the state got anti-terrorism lessons Thursday from an organization familiar with the subject — Israeli police and military officials.
“Every given day we have between 50 and 80 immediate terrorist threats,” said Simon Perry, a retired brigadier general who spent more than 30 years with the Israeli police department and as an officer in the Israeli military. “You can’t deal with 50 to 80 threats. You have to prioritize. It’s like the jugglers — you have to concentrate on the next ball you have to deal with but you have to keep sight of what will follow.”
The law enforcement officers from about 80 jurisdictions met at Laurel Manor for a conference on homeland security. Hosted by state Attorney General Mike Cox, the two-day conference is designed to establish cooperation between local and Israeli law enforcement. The conference is part of a law enforcement exchange program established by the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs — a nonprofit organization concentrating on national security issues for the United States and Israel. It’s the first time the conference has been held in Michigan.
There is a lot Michigan police officers and sheriff ’s deputies can learn from Israeli officials, Cox said. He said he was surprised to discover that the homicide rate in Israel is roughly the same as Oakland County.
“If you look at the numbers, it begs the question: ‘What are they doing right in terms of public safety given the challenges and occasional political turmoil they have?’ ” Cox said. “They must be doing something very, very right that perhaps we can learn from.”
Howell Police Chief George Basar who is this year’s president of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, reminded officials on hand that looking out for their communities is at the heart of homeland security.
“As we all know, we’re the first line of defense,” Baser said. “We know the various targets in our communities that need to be secured. We spend a lot of time building relationships with our community groups. The best successes at homeland security start at the local level.”
The conference will continue today. Sheriffs Warren Evans, Michael Bouchard and Mark Hackel from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, respectively, are scheduled speakers. You can reach Steve Pardo at (734) 462-2191 or spardo@detnews.com.