by Tamara Stokes

Special to DJW

In August, Fort Worth Chief Ralph Mendoza joined police officers from major U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Baltimore in Israel for a week-long anti-terrorism program. He conferred with Israeli police about deterring and responding to acts of terrorism. The visit was sponsored by the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA).

"This was a great exchange of information between the Israeli police and what we are doing here in the United States," says Mendoza. Officers were briefed about the integral role of the first responders during terrorist strikes. Participants observed methods and techniques used by Israeli police forces in preventing and reacting to suicide bombings and other forms of terrorism.

Mendoza says that a primary difference is the organization of the police in Israel, because the force in Israel is nationalized. Here, there is communication and coordination among three branches of police - local, state and federal levels. Mendoza says another difference is the response and clearance time of bombing crime scenes. What may take an entire day here takes perhaps two hours in Israel. He said that, unfortunately, due to the high number of bombing incidents, the Israel bomb technicians have more experience in dealing with these types of crimes.

"As first responders to any terrorist incident, it is critical that local law enforcement have the tools and training they need," says Garden Grove, Calif. Police Chief Joseph Polisar, incoming president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Polisar says, "This trip is an important step in ensuring our communities are protected at the local level."

"As first responders to any terrorist incident, it is critical that local law enforcement have the tools and training they need," says Garden Grove, Calif. Police Chief Joseph Polisar, incoming president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Polisar says, "This trip is an important step in ensuring our communities are protected at the local level."

Visiting officers paid respects to the sites of several recent terrorist crimes, including laying a wreath at Jerusalem's Hebrew University. They traveled throughout the country, visiting with National Police at their Jerusalem headquarters and with police outposts in Tel Aviv, Kiryat Bialik and Galilee. The officers met with Jerusaelm mayor Ehud Olmert, toured West Bank border police stations and joined Tel Aviv police officers on a nighttime patrol.

Mendoza says that police forces are gearing up for 911, although he says no credible threats have surfaced in the Dallas or Fort Worth areas. He says that any significant dates warrant additional police presence for special interest groups. After 911, he says the police department's job was to protect everyone - those who were persecuted unjustly in the aftermath - for everyone in his precinct.

Mendoza says that, in addition to Israel's being a beautiful country, every person he encountered, no matter what station, supported peace. "No matter what sector or rank of employee," says Mendoza, "everyone believed in the same thing - they wanted peace and for others to want to compromise to have that peace.

"I think travelers are safe there," he says. "Statistically speaking, there are many precautions that are taken and just like big cities here, there are areas that you need to take special care in. In Israel, there are designated zones that are less safe than others.

With military personnel required to remained armed at all times, he says it is "different" to see people walking around with rifles slung over their shoulders. The guns are a visible reminder that a quick response awaits crime perpetrators.

Overall, Mendoza was impressed with the exchange and hopes to begin a local network for ongoing communication with his Israeli counterparts. JINSA's purpose is to strengthen bonds between the United States and Israel regarding security issues. America's local police had an opportunity to learn from the experience of Israel's national police force, which ranks among the best-prepared law enforcement agencies in the world. The Israel force deals with the threat of terrorism on a near-daily basis.