Organizational Structure
Yehuda Wilk - Commissioner of Police
The INP's National Headquarters
Six Departments constitute the INP's national headquarters:
Investigations, Operations and Patrol, Logistics, Personnel, Planning and Organization, the Border Guard and the Civil Guard. Other units attached to the national headquarters are: Office of the Legal Counsel, Office of the Spokesperson, Accounting, Office of the Internal Auditor and Ombudsperson, Internal Disciplinary Court, and Internal Appeals Court.
The INP's national headquarters is located in Jerusalem.
The functions of the INP's national HQ include the following:
- Guidance, supervision, and coordination of all INP activities;
- Gathering, organization and processing of data on criminal activities, on traffic matters, on public order and internal security, on order to present the INP Commissioner with an accurate situational report and in order to advise the Commissioner when decisions have to be made.
- Professional guidance and counseling to all INP units, in accordance with established INP policies.
- Support for INP units in the performance of their duties, through the provision of specialized, operational and administrative services.
- Review of INP operations in order to determine future procedures and priorities.
- Establishment of subjects areas for guidance and training courses aimed at maintaining and improving the operational skills of INP personnel.
- Coordination of INP organizational planning activities.
- Provision of guidance for the INP's short- and long-range planning.
- Establishment of the INP's annual and multi-year plans.
- Setting of priorities for the allocation of resources needed to carry out INP programs built into the annual and multi-year plans.
- Performance of operational tasks in special areas through the INP's national units and through the central forensic laboratory.
Israel National Police headquarters houses a centralized computer in which all the country's criminal records are stored. These are integrated with country-wide data banks such as names, addresses and identification numbers of all adults in Israel, registration of all weapons and their ownership, vehicle registration and driving licenses, etc.
Regional Administration
Divided into five areas geographically, the INP is divided into 5 District Commands:
- Jerusalem
- Northern
- Central
- Southern
- Tel Aviv
The District Commanders are directly responsible to the Police Commissioner. These Districts are divided into 13 Sub-Districts, each of which is under the direction of a Police Commander.
The Sub-Districts are divided into Police Stations and Police Precincts. Each of the Districts and Subdistricts is managed by an administrative and operational headquarters that parallels the organization of the central INP headquarters in Jerusalem. In other words, police functions such as investigations, operations, patrol, personnel management, and deployment of the Civil Guard, are carried out at various levels: national, district, subdistrict, and station. The Border Guard, however, is organized in a different manner and has separate bases and its own unique line of command.
Police Units in Judea, Samaria and Gaza
The "Administered Territories", are organized into three Sub-districts and 12 Stations: Judea and Gaza under the command of the Southern District, and Samaria under command of the Northern District. The legal basis for police work in these areas is the body of Israel Defence Force (IDF) regulations formulated in accordance with the Geneva Convention. Three legal systems are operative in Judea, Samaria and Gaza:
- Local law - Jordanian law applies in Judea and Samaria, and Egyptian law in Gaza.
- Israeli civil law - for all Israelis residing in or visiting Judea, Samaria and Gaza.
- Israeli military law - applicable to all persons in these areas.
Brief Survey of Major Units in the INP
Investigations Department
There are approximately 2,500 investigators, who handle about 300,000 cases each year. The investigative work is backed up by state-of-the-art forensic science and criminal identification units and various specialist departments:
The Criminal Identification Division is the scientific arm of the police in its fight against crime. The Division analyzes evidence with an entry range of modern tests (fingerprints, drugs, explosives and flammable materials, ballistics, etc.) in its specialized laboratories at Israel National Police headquarters in Jerusalem. Each regional subdivision has technicians who are sent to gather evidence from crime scenes. The evidence is sent to the INP's centralized laboratories for further examination and for presentation by forensic experts as evidence in court. In addition, special testing and evidence-gathering kits have been developed to make the task of these technicians easier.
The Intelligence Division coordinates and directs the intelligence and detective work undertaken throughout the country at all levels. Efforts are concentrated upon serious "target criminals" in accordance with an evaluation that is made at the various strata of the police hierarchy. All intelligence data is centrally computerized and can easily be retrieved. In addition to the above functions, the division is responsible for all drug-related enforcement work, as well as for international cooperation with foreign police forces. Since 1949, Israel has been a member of INTERPOL, and extensive operational cooperation takes place on a regular basis via this organization. Several police representatives are stationed abroad (USA, Germany, France, and the Netherlands) in order to facilitate international investigations. National Investigation Units: There are two national investigation units: one for serious crimes such as drug trafficking, fraudulent land sales, the operation of car theft rings, and the second for dealing with white-collar crime.
Operation and Patrol Department
This department is responsible for all the daily operational activities of the INP: Patrol (motorized, horse, marine, airborne), traffic enforcement, maintenance of civil order, deployment of animals, crime prevention, anti-terrorist activities, and the licensing of business establishments (largely for crime prevention purposes).
National Operation Units: Three nationally based units are under the direct supervision of this Department: The Helicopter Unit, National Traffic Unit, which is responsible for traffic enforcement on the highways, and National Negotiations Team, used when hostage situations arise.
Established in 1975, the Bomb Disposal Division operates in the realm of both criminal and terrorist sabotage activities. The Division's teams handle about 80,000 calls per year to check suspicious objects and cars. Less than 1% of these class actually involve incendiary or explosive devices. An important aspect of the Bomb Disposal Unit's work is its prevention program, which includes surveillance of crowded public areas and facilities, and educational programs in the schools.
The Civil Guard
In the wake of a series of terrorist incidents in early 1974 and public pressure, the Israeli Cabinet formed the Civil Guard, which is a volunteer force for the maintenance of security on the homefront within the framework of the Israel National Police.
In order to prevent terrorist activity in residential areas, the Civil Guard maintains a network of neighborhood command center,s operates armed mobile and foot patrols, runs training programs, and organizes rapid response teams for emergency duty.
Today Civil Guard volunteers, aged 17 to 90, who number about 45,000 are also involved in a range of community activities, such as assistance to special groups (the elderly, new immigrant, juvenile delinquents). The Civil Guard also includes special units that provide volunteer aid to regular police units in a range of activities: traffic control and enforcement of traffic regulations, crime prevention, patrol functions, etc. While on duty, Civil Guard volunteers have total police authority, must volunteer for at least four hours per month, and are usually armed. They thus must undergo regular target practice and other police training courses.
The Border Guard
The Border Guard, which is a special military unit in the Israel National Police, maintain internal security and public order and provides assistance, when necessary, to regular operational police units in the fight against crime. Deployed throughout Israel, as well as in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, the Border Guard is unique in terms of its composition, with its officers including representatives of all Israel's ethnic groups: Jews, Druze, Circassians, Beduins, Christians, and Moslems. New 18-year-old recruits can do their mandatory military duty with the Border Guard instead of with the IDF.
The INP's anti-terrorist combat unit, which organizationally belongs to the Border Guard, deals with terrorist activities within the borders of the country, operates in hostage-taking situations, and serious public disturbances.
ISRAEL PRISON SERVICE
Hahistadrut 5
Jerusalem
Tel: 972-2-6225222
The Israel Prison Service (IPS) is responsible for the supervision of individuals sentenced to varying terms of imprisonment by the courts and in accordance with Israeli law. In addition, the IPS is responsible for all aspects of inmate treatment and attempts to promote the rehabilitation of its inmates in order to facilitate their re-entry into society on release.
Goals of the IPS
The primary goals of the IPS include the following:
- Maintaining secure, safe prisons to minimize escapes by dangerous criminals.
- Providing inmates with new skills to assist in their social rehabilitation.
- Providing medical, psychological and drug treatment services to inmates in need.
In order to ensure fair treatment of inmates, the IPS has established a code of rights and duties of prisoners.
Organizational structure
The IPS is headed by the Commissioner of Prisons, who is appointed by the Government on recommendation by the Minister of Public Security.
The Israel Prison Service Commission is the administrative body in charge of the management of the IPS. The Commission consists of two Administrations: The (Management) Planning Administration headed by the Chief of Staff, and the Institutions (Operational) Department, headed by the Deputy Commissioner.
The function of the Institutions Administrations is to provide professional guidance to senior commanders and administrative staff in all IPS facilities with regard to such areas as: security, inmate education/training and rehabilitation, communications and electronics, inmate classification and movement.
The Planning Administration is responsible for the Personnel and Training Divisions which are in charge of all personnel matters, including recruitment, screening, assignments, career-planning and training, supervision and monitoring of staff, cultural enrichment and social welfare.
Central among the responsibility of this Administration is logistical support for all units in the IPS system. This support relates to such aspects as: storage and supplies, construction, equipment acquisitions, operation of prison industries for inmate training and rehabilitation, joint ventures with private industrial concerns for the production and marketing of goods manufactured on prison premises.
There are 19 correctional facilities and three detention centers throughout the country, including in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. These 22 installations are administratively divided among the IPS's three geographically defined districts: North, South, and Central.
Today, there are approximately 10,000 inmates in Israeli prisons, 60% imprisoned for criminal offenses and 40% for terrorist and sabotage activities, and for public safety offenses (such as placing incendiary devices in public places, throwing molotov cocktails or rocks, assaulting civilians or security personnel, etc.)
The IPS's Diagnostic and Classification Center attached to the Central Detention Facility monthly screens some 300 inmates. About 40% of the total number classified have been convicted for property offenses, while 20% have been convicted for drug offenses.
Security
The IPS's Security Division is responsible for various functions, including the securing of cell blocks in the event of riots or prison escapes, and the escorting of prisoners for hospital care, for court appearances and on home visits.
Weapons and equipment are continually updated for security personnel. In addition, new standards have been set for such items as protective vests (resistant to bullets and knife stabs), perimeter fences, alarms and monitoring equipment.
Computerization
The IPS' centralized computer system contains all prisoners' files, which include such data as: dates of court appearances, decisions of parole boards, disciplinary measures taken, furloughs granted, etc. The computer system is continually upgraded, and military courts in the territories provide updating of information on detainees and court summons. The computerization of all personnel matters in presently underway.
Manpower
There are about 3,325 employees in the UPS, all of whom are enlisted personnel with ranks similar to those used in the Israel National Police. About 68% of theses deal with security of the inmates, 23% are administrative staff and 9% deal with the welfare and care of the inmates.
Medical Services for Prison Inmates
Providing medical care to all prisoners and staff in all IPS installations, the IPS's medical service is responsible for the following areas: general treatment at prison clinics, dental care, treatment of drug addiction, sanitation and preventive medicine, medical supplies, and the operation of the recently opened IPS' Medical Center, The hospital includes 22 general clinics, a general ward, a chronic care ward, a drug and detoxification ward, a clinical laboratory and an operating theater, specialist clinics, and a dialysis unit.
Treatment of Drug Abusers within the Prison System
The treatment of inmates who are drug addicts includes such components as identification, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Among the IPS' various treatment contexts ar 12 ambulatory clinics, the rehabilitation facility at the IPS medical center, the Negev rehabilitation facility at the Beersheba prison, and the special wings for drug-free inmates in various prisons. Within the context of the IPS's program, some 15,700 urine samples are tested annually for the detection of drugs.
In 1991, the IPS began operation its own independent toxicology laboratory.
Dealing with Drugs
In accordance with IPS policy, each prisoner is tested for HIV antibodies. Prisoners who test positive are treated by the IPS in cooperation with AIDS clinics attached to local hospitals and are kept in separate cells in the regular wards, without any infringement of their rights as prisoners.
Each prisoner who is an HIV carrier is given individualized instruction and information on the nature of AIDS, on treatment methods, an on hygienic measures required in order to prevent the spread of the disease to other inmates.
Education, Training and Rehabilitation
The IPS's educational, training and rehabilitation program places particular program emphasis on group activities, although individualized therapy i given, when necessary. The groups concentrate on the following areas: family violence, interpersonal communication self control, logotherapy, drug rehabilitation, etc.
Pre-Release Workshops
In cooperation with the Prisoner Rehabilitation Authority, the IPS pre-release workshops try to help prisoners readjust to normative society after release from prison. One of the workshops enables prisoner to engage in games-playing activities with their children and to thereby adjust to a normative parent role.
Educational Activities
Education activities are part of the daily routine in the prison system. In addition to 25 primary and four high school classes, there us a special program that enables prisoners to take correspondence courses through the Open University. Volunteer make a valuable contribution to the program and, in addition to leading study groups, offer private tutoring.
Occupation Training
In order to provide inmates with new skills, professional training is offered in a variety of fields, Some prisoners undergo this training within the prison walls and upon successful completion of their courses, receive occupational certification from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Other inmates are permitted to train and work outside the prison facility during day-time hours and return to the prison at the end of the work-day.