Recent reports about the lawlessness of individuals living in the Negev and northern Israel, reports on the surging crime in the Arab sector, and the occasional whining by a random celebrity make it all too easy to forget that overall, the Israel Police comprises good officers and commanders who keep public order not because it pays well, but out of a deep sense of personal convictions.
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Not many know this, but the Israel Police is among the smallest police forces in the world with one of the longest to-do lists. As the national police force, its officers do everything from issuing parking tickets and chasing thieves, through enforcing coronavirus regulations and riot control, to investigating corruption among elected officials and foiling terrorist attacks.
The Israeli police officer is required to be a master of all trades. Expectations are very high, the most part, police officers encounter only ingratitude.
Recent footage of police officers being assaulted by Arab criminals in northern Israel sparked a public outcry, but truth be told โ police officers encounter verbal abuse and physical violence on a daily basis, by Israelis from all walks of life.
The hostility expressed in social media posts easily transfers to the streets and more often than not, it is the police officers who are its target.
Over the past year there has been a growing demand for more budgets, manpower, and technology. All this is important and even necessary, but no less important, and sometimes even more so, is the backing of the police where elected officials could set an example for the public.
Without public support, all you get is disgruntled police officers who eventually fail to understand why they work as hard as they do. Public backing is essential for what is possibly the most important security force we have.
While the IDF wages a military campaign once every few years, at times sans decisive results, the police fight on the streets daily and while they mark many victories, they have little sympathy or appreciation to show for it.
One of the most challenging missions Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai has to deal with is rebranding the force in the public eye and โ no less important โ among those in uniform. So the next time a policeman pulls you over, or you see them on the street, say something nice to them. We'll all be better for it.
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