Israel Police
Encyclopedia
The Israel Police is the civilian police
force of Israel
. As with most other police forces in the world, its duties include crime
fighting, traffic
control, maintaining public
safety, and counter-terrorism
. It is under the jurisdiction of the Internal Security ministry.
The Israel Police operates throughout Israel proper, the Golan Heights and Area C
of the West Bank
, in all places in which Israel has civilian control. There are no local or "municipal" police departments in Israel.
The current police commissioner is Rav-Nitzav Yohanan Danino
, who succeeded Rav-Nitzav Dudi Cohen on May 1, 2011.
The National Headquarters of the Israel Police
are located at the Government offices named after Begin in Jerusalem.
In an emergency, the police can be reached by dialing 100 from any telephone in Israel.
), riot and crowd control, law enforcement, crime fighting, detective
work, covert operations against drug networks, investigating suspects, road traffic control, operating the Civil Guard, handling civilian complaints, handling youth violence, educational campaigns.
The Israel Police are a professional force, with some 35,000 persons on the payroll. There are also 70,000 Civil Guard volunteers who contribute time to assist officers in their own communities.
The police are divided into the following main divisional groups:
(handgun) which he or she usually also carries while off-duty. Also, each patrol car must have at least one long-arm (i.e. rifle
). Police volunteers are usually armed with an M1 Carbine
, which they return to the police's armory after they finish their duty (they do not take the rifle home, but may sign one out for escorting field trips, etc.). Volunteers who have a gun license may use their own personal handgun as personal defence weapon for their police duty, under the condition that the gun and ammunition type is authorized by the police (9 mm). Common pistols owned and carried by volunteers include Glock
and CZ-75 designs.
Heavy armaments such as assault rifles, sniper rifles and non-lethal weapons are assigned according to activity and not on personal basis.
Border Guard
policemen, however, carry an M16
or M4
assault rifle as a standard personal weapon and can carry it home while off-duty (like regular infantry in the Israel Defense Forces
).
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
force of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. As with most other police forces in the world, its duties include crime
Crime
Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction...
fighting, traffic
Traffic
Traffic on roads may consist of pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using the public way for purposes of travel...
control, maintaining public
Public
In public relations and communication science, publics are groups of individuals, and the public is the totality of such groupings. This is a different concept to the sociological concept of the Öffentlichkeit or public sphere. The concept of a public has also been defined in political science,...
safety, and counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
. It is under the jurisdiction of the Internal Security ministry.
The Israel Police operates throughout Israel proper, the Golan Heights and Area C
Administrative divisions of the Oslo Accords
The Oslo Accords created three temporary distinct administrative divisions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip until a final status accord would be established...
of the West Bank
West Bank
The West Bank ) of the Jordan River is the landlocked geographical eastern part of the Palestinian territories located in Western Asia. To the west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the state of Israel. To the east, across the Jordan River, lies the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan...
, in all places in which Israel has civilian control. There are no local or "municipal" police departments in Israel.
The current police commissioner is Rav-Nitzav Yohanan Danino
Yohanan Danino
Rav Nitzav Yohanan Danino is an Israeli police officer who has served since May 1, 2011 as the 17th chief of the Israel Police. Among other posts, he has led the Unit of International Crime Investigations and the police's Southern Command...
, who succeeded Rav-Nitzav Dudi Cohen on May 1, 2011.
The National Headquarters of the Israel Police
National Headquarters of the Israel Police
The National Headquarters of the Israel Police is the headquarters of the Israel Police, located in Kiryat Menachem Begin in Jerusalem.- History :...
are located at the Government offices named after Begin in Jerusalem.
In an emergency, the police can be reached by dialing 100 from any telephone in Israel.
Roles
The Israel police is responsible for public security, maintaining public order, securing public events and rallies, dismantling suspicious objects and explosives (EODEOD
EOD may refer to:* Explosive Ordnance Disposal, the disposal of bombs* End Of Day, a financial markets term* Evolve Or Die, A Political Party, started in Montana, with the beliefs that humanity must move forward or die out...
), riot and crowd control, law enforcement, crime fighting, detective
Detective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
work, covert operations against drug networks, investigating suspects, road traffic control, operating the Civil Guard, handling civilian complaints, handling youth violence, educational campaigns.
Organization
The Israel Police are a professional force, with some 35,000 persons on the payroll. There are also 70,000 Civil Guard volunteers who contribute time to assist officers in their own communities.
The police are divided into the following main divisional groups:
Headquarters units
- International Relations
- Legal Counsel
- Immigration Control
- Audit & Accounts
- Economic Crimes
- Public Complaints
- Disciplinary Court
- Service Administration
- Safety
- Appeals
- Controller
- Spokesperson
Departments
- Human Resources
- Investigation & Intelligence
- Logistic Support
- Organization & Planning
- Traffic - includes the National Traffic PoliceNational Traffic PoliceThe National Traffic Police is the main Israeli traffic law enforcement unit. It was founded in September 1991 and in 1997 subordinated to the newly created Traffic Department of the Israel Police.-Units:...
- Patrol & Security
- Community & Civil Guard
Regional districts
- Central District
- Southern District
- Northern District
- Judea & Samaria District
- Tel Aviv DistrictTel Aviv DistrictThe Tel Aviv District is the smallest and most densely populated of six administrative districts of Israel with a population of 1.2 million residents...
- Jerusalem DistrictJerusalem District PoliceThe Jerusalem District Police is a regional district of the Israeli Police who is considered to be one of the oldest police departments in Israel, if not the most oldest....
Operational units
- The Border PoliceIsrael Border PoliceThe Israel Border Police is the gendarmerie and border security branch of the Israel National Police. It is also commonly known by its Hebrew abbreviation Magav , meaning border guard, whilst its members are colloquially known as Magavnikim . Border Guard is often used as the official name of the...
("MAGAV") is the combat arm of the police and mainly serves in unquiet areas - the borders, the West BankWest BankThe West Bank ) of the Jordan River is the landlocked geographical eastern part of the Palestinian territories located in Western Asia. To the west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the state of Israel. To the east, across the Jordan River, lies the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan...
, and the rural countryside. The Border Police has both professional officers on payroll and IDFIsrael Defense ForcesThe Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
conscripts who serve in the Border Police as their mandatory three-year service in the Israel Defence Forces.
- The YamamYamamThe Yamam ) is an elite Border police, not civilian Police counter-terrorism unit in Israel. The Yamam is capable of both hostage-rescue operations and offensive take-over raids against targets in civilian areas...
(acronym for Special Police Unit) is the police elite counter terror hostage rescue unit. It is known as one of the most experienced and specialized in the world. The unit has taken part in hundreds of operations in and outside the borders of Israel.
- The YasamYasamThe Yasam is the Israel Police Special Patrol Unit , a police unit dedicated to continuous security, riot and crowd control and other special operations....
is the on-call counter-terror unit in each district. The units, originally started as Riot Police, were called upon to assist with counter-terror operations, as well as dismantling settlements in accordance with the Israeli court decisions. It has gained a reputation of being the most elite force on call and ready at any time, although charged by both Israeli settlers and Palestinians of using excess brutality. The Yassam has sub-units of Rapid Response Motorcycle Units.
Weapons and Equipment
Each policeman is armed with a pistolPistol
When distinguished as a subset of handguns, a pistol is a handgun with a chamber that is integral with the barrel, as opposed to a revolver, wherein the chamber is separate from the barrel as a revolving cylinder. Typically, pistols have an effective range of about 100 feet.-History:The pistol...
(handgun) which he or she usually also carries while off-duty. Also, each patrol car must have at least one long-arm (i.e. rifle
Rifle
A rifle is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls. The raised areas of the rifling are called "lands," which make contact with the projectile , imparting spin around an axis corresponding to the...
). Police volunteers are usually armed with an M1 Carbine
M1 Carbine
The M1 carbine is a lightweight, easy to use semi-automatic carbine that became a standard firearm for the U.S. military during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and was produced in several variants. It was widely used by U.S...
, which they return to the police's armory after they finish their duty (they do not take the rifle home, but may sign one out for escorting field trips, etc.). Volunteers who have a gun license may use their own personal handgun as personal defence weapon for their police duty, under the condition that the gun and ammunition type is authorized by the police (9 mm). Common pistols owned and carried by volunteers include Glock
Glock
Glock Ges.m.b.H. is a weapons manufacturer headquartered in Deutsch-Wagram, Austria, named after its founder, Gaston Glock...
and CZ-75 designs.
Heavy armaments such as assault rifles, sniper rifles and non-lethal weapons are assigned according to activity and not on personal basis.
Border Guard
Israel Border Police
The Israel Border Police is the gendarmerie and border security branch of the Israel National Police. It is also commonly known by its Hebrew abbreviation Magav , meaning border guard, whilst its members are colloquially known as Magavnikim . Border Guard is often used as the official name of the...
policemen, however, carry an M16
M16 rifle
The M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
or M4
M4 carbine
The M4 carbine is a family of firearms tracing its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16, all based on the original AR-15 designed by Eugene Stoner and made by ArmaLite. It is a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 assault rifle, with 80% parts commonality.It is a gas-operated,...
assault rifle as a standard personal weapon and can carry it home while off-duty (like regular infantry in the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
).
Issued weaponry
Standard issued rifles (non-combat)
- M1 CarbineM1 CarbineThe M1 carbine is a lightweight, easy to use semi-automatic carbine that became a standard firearm for the U.S. military during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and was produced in several variants. It was widely used by U.S...
(also standard issued weapon of the Mash'az - Civil Guard) - M1A1 Carbine (modernized M1 Carbine with folding stockStock (firearm)A stock, also known as a buttstock or shoulder stock, is a part of a rifle or other firearm, to which the barrel and firing mechanism are attached, that is held against one's shoulder when firing the gun. Stocks are also found on crossbows though a crossbow stock is more properly referred to as a...
) - M1 Carbine bullpupBullpupBullpups are firearm configurations in which the action is located behind the trigger group and alongside the shooter's face, so there is no wasted space for the buttstock as in conventional designs. This permits a shorter firearm length for the same barrel length for improved maneuverability, and...
- Micro-Galil 5.56 mm submachine gun
Standard issued assault rifle (combat)
- M16M16 rifleThe M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
assault rifle, Colt Commando, CAR15, M4 CarbineM4 carbineThe M4 carbine is a family of firearms tracing its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16, all based on the original AR-15 designed by Eugene Stoner and made by ArmaLite. It is a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 assault rifle, with 80% parts commonality.It is a gas-operated,... - GalilIMI GalilThe Galil is a family of Israeli small arms designed by Yisrael Galil and Yaacov Lior in the late 1960s and produced by Israel Military Industries Ltd of Ramat HaSharon...
assault rifle
Sniper rifles
- Remington 700P
- Mauser SP66 and Mauser SR86
- Mauser K98Karabiner 98kThe Karabiner 98 Kurz was a bolt action rifle chambered for the 8x57mm IS/7.92×57mm IS cartridge that was adopted as the standard service rifle in 1935 by the German Wehrmacht. It was one of the final developments in the long line of Mauser military rifles...
(mainly in the Civil Guard) - M14 RifleM14 rifleThe M14 rifle, formally the United States Rifle, 7.62 mm, M14, is an American selective fire automatic rifle firing 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition. It was the standard issue U.S. rifle from 1959 to 1970. The M14 was used for U.S...
(mainly in Israel Border PoliceIsrael Border PoliceThe Israel Border Police is the gendarmerie and border security branch of the Israel National Police. It is also commonly known by its Hebrew abbreviation Magav , meaning border guard, whilst its members are colloquially known as Magavnikim . Border Guard is often used as the official name of the...
) - GalatzGalatzGalatz may refer to:* Yiddish and German name of Galaţi, a town in Romania* Galil Tzalafim , a sniper version of the Israeli IMI Galil assault rifle* Galey Tzahal , an abbreviation of the Israel Army Radio network* Galgalatz...
- Galil Tzalafim (Galil Sniper version)
Handguns
- IMIIMIIMI is a three letter acronym. It can stand for*Industrial Management Institute* Industrial Vibration Monitoring Instrumentation, division of PCB Piezotronics*Indian Music Industry*Innovative Medicines Initiative of the European Union...
Jericho 941Jericho 941The Jericho 941 is a double action/single action semi-automatic pistol developed by Israel Weapon Industries and introduced to the market in 1990 as the Jericho 941. It was first imported into the US in 1990 by K.B.I., Inc. of Harrisburg, PA. It was later imported by O.F. Mossberg & Sons and named... - BerettaBerettaFabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta is an Italian firearms manufacturer. Their firearms are used worldwide for a variety of civilian, law enforcement, and military purposes. It is also known for manufacturing shooting clothes and accessories. Beretta is the oldest active firearms manufacturer in the...
71 .22LR - Browning Hi-PowerBrowning Hi-PowerThe Browning Hi-Power is a single-action, 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. It is based on a design by American firearms inventor John Browning, and completed by Dieudonné Saive at Fabrique Nationale of Herstal, Belgium. Browning died in 1926, several years before the design was finalized...
- Glock 17 (YamamYamamThe Yamam ) is an elite Border police, not civilian Police counter-terrorism unit in Israel. The Yamam is capable of both hostage-rescue operations and offensive take-over raids against targets in civilian areas...
and other special units only)
Non lethal weapons
- Police batons
- Tear gas
- Flash grenades
- Rubber bulletsRubber Bullets"Rubber Bullets" is a song by 10cc from their debut self-titled album.Written and sung by Kevin Godley, Lol Creme and Graham Gouldman and produced by 10cc, "Rubber Bullets" was the band's first number one single in the United Kingdom, spending a single week at the top in June 1973. It fared worse...
- Pepper sprayPepper sprayPepper spray, also known as OC spray , OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent that is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears...
- Water cannonWater cannonA water cannon is a device that shoots a high-pressure stream of water. Typically, a water cannon can deliver a large volume of water, often over dozens of metres / hundreds of feet. They are used in firefighting and riot control. Most water cannon fall under the category of a fire...
- TaserTaserA Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Its manufacturer, Taser International, calls the effects "neuromuscular incapacitation" and the devices' mechanism "Electro-Muscular Disruption technology"...
s
Ranks
| English equivalent | (Hebrew Hebrew language Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such... ) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| Constable | שוטר | Shoter |
| Corporal | רב שוטר | Rav Shoter |
| Sergeant | סמל שני | Samal Sheni |
| Staff Sergeant | סמל ראשון | Samal Rishon |
| Sergeant First Class | רב סמל | Rav Samal |
| Master Sergeant | רב סמל ראשון | Rav Samal Rishon |
| First Sergeant | רב סמל מתקדם | Rav Samal Mitkadem |
| Sergeant Major | רב סמל בכיר | Rav Samal Bakhir |
| Sergeant Major of Command | רב נגד | Rav Nagad |
| Officer | ||
| Sub-Inspector | מפקח משנה | Mefake'ah Mishneh |
| Inspector | מפקח | Mefake'ah |
| Chief Inspector | פקד | Pakad |
| Superintendent | רב פקד | Rav Pakad |
| Chief Superintendent | סגן ניצב | Sgan Nitzav |
| Commander | ניצב משנה | Nitzav Mishneh |
| Brigadier General | תת ניצב | Tat Nitzav |
| Major General | ניצב | Nitzav |
| Commissioner | רב ניצב | Rav Nitzav |
- Source: Israel Police website (Hebrew version)
Honors and awards
- July 6, 2004: Received an award from the Anti-Defamation LeagueAnti-Defamation LeagueThe Anti-Defamation League is an international non-governmental organization based in the United States. Describing itself as "the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency", the ADL states that it "fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects...
for its counter terror efforts and for passing seminars of counter-terror measures to FBI and local USA police. http://www.adl.org/learn/news/Amichai_Shai.asp,http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1089090725477&p=1078027574097
- In October 2010 the elite unit YAMAMYamamThe Yamam ) is an elite Border police, not civilian Police counter-terrorism unit in Israel. The Yamam is capable of both hostage-rescue operations and offensive take-over raids against targets in civilian areas...
of the Israeli Police won the "Urban Shield" SWAT competition held by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office setting a new record in the competition.
- In October 2011 the elite unit YAMAM of the Israeli Police won the "Urban Shield" SWAT competition held by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office again.
List of General Commissioners
- Yehezkel Sahar (1948–1958)
- Yosef Nachmias (1958–1964)
- Pinhas Kopel (1964–1972)
- Aaron Sela (1972)
- Shaul Rosolio (1972–1976)
- Haim Tavori (1976–1979)
- Herzl Shapir (1980)
- Aryeh Ivtzen (1981–1985)
- David Kraus (1985–1990)
- Yaakov Turner (1990–1993)
- Rafi Peled (1993–1994)
- Asaf Hefetz (1994–1997)
- Yehuda Vilk (1998–2000)
- Shlomo Aharonishki (2001–2004)
- Moshe KaradiMoshe KaradiMoshe Karadi is a former Israeli police officer and general commissioner of the Israel Police between 2004 and May 1, 2007.Karadi was born and raised in Bat Yam, and currently resides in Rishon LeZion...
(2004–2007) - Dudi Cohen (2007–2011)
- Yohanan DaninoYohanan DaninoRav Nitzav Yohanan Danino is an Israeli police officer who has served since May 1, 2011 as the 17th chief of the Israel Police. Among other posts, he has led the Unit of International Crime Investigations and the police's Southern Command...
(2011–date)