The Covington Police Department is the first stop for high ranking police officials from Israel, hoping to enhance and expose them to the U.S. form of public safety and policy. For two weeks, they will be in Georgia, learning new ways to take on problematically tasks in Israel. During their stay, they will train and participate in several areas of law enforcement.
The program GILEE, (Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange) is behind their visit to the state, federal and international law enforcement agencies throughout Georgia. The CPD has been participating in this program since the early 90s, with former Chief of Police Bobby Moody participating in the first delegation to Israel.
Yale Edelman, the general and prosecutor of the Israeli Police Department, believes their visit will be one that will strategically help solve some of the terrorist problems the country of Israel is facing today.
"We expect more exposure to U.S. law, working with award-winning departments and to also be exposed to excellence," said Edelman.
Each Israeli officer has been working in law enforcement for the past 20-25 years. Unlike the U.S., they have only one police unit in their country. The Covington Police Department took them to several areas of the city such as the Covington square, a local neighborhood where the police department gave out Halloween treats to children, and the gun range by City Pond in Covington. Several Israeli officers including Maia Zecil, took several shots at the gun charts. Edelman believes that the U.S. operates differently than Israel, but they both believe in professional guidelines, and wanting to wholeheartedly protect each individual person and household.
The Israeli officers will also visit with other police and sheriff's departments throughout the state such as the Atlanta Police Department and the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office.
"This program is an incredible program that allows local police officers across the state of Georgia an opportunity to spend two weeks learning from and training with the Israeli police," said CPD Chief Stacey Cotton. "It is the only program of its kind in the U.S."
