Local Law Officers--Middle East-bound

By Bay City News Service


Command staff from the Santa Clara and Contra Costa County sheriff's offices will depart Sunday along with a dozen other California law enforcement officers for an anti-terrorism training program in Israel, sheriff's officials said.

Funded by the Anti-Defamation League, the Bay Area deputies will join a delegation of West Coast law enforcement executives for the weeklong terrorism prevention and training program taught by top Israel National Police and Israel Defense Forces commanders, Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office spokesman Jimmy Lee said.

While in Israel, the California delegation will attend high-level briefings on operational responses to terrorism, airport and border security and the use of technology and the media to prevent and respond to terror attacks, Lee said.

"This is a unique opportunity to learn from our law enforcement counterparts in the Middle East, who are leaders in preventing and responding to terrorist attacks," said Contra Costa Assistant Sheriff Elise Warren, who will be part of the delegation.

"Additionally, there may be methods and strategies that can (be) brought back and implemented in Contra Costa."

Now in its fifth year, the program is designed to give American law enforcement commanders a firsthand look at the impacts of terrorism on society and a chance to meet their Israeli law enforcement peers, according to a statement from the Anti-Defamation League.

"As a people living under constant threat of attack, the Israelis are leading experts in security enforcement and response strategies," said Tammy Gillies, ADL San Diego Regional Director. "The mission to Israel is a tremendous opportunity for American law enforcement professionals to learn from their counterparts in the Middle East, draw from the latest developments in terrorism prevention and bring these methods back home to implement in their communities."

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