Sheriff Wiley Griffin joined an elite group of 16 law enforcement officials for 2 weeks of training in Israel under the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange.  A Byrne grant paid all expenses.

Sheriff Griffin joined with the Georgia Public Safety Commissioner, Col. Bill Hitchins, head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, other Sheriffs, Police Chiefs and GBI.  This is the 15th delegation that has traveled to Israel under the program.

Israeli Police have trained in Georgia studying our emergency management and other police strategies.

Israeli police deal with suicide bombers and terrorists that want to destroy them.  Approximately half of their prison population of 24,000 are terrorists serving a life sentence.  International terrorism is a growing problem.

Sheriff Griffin gained an insight on the great need to secure our US borders. 1 minute video

Sheriff Griffin stated in this country of 7.2 million people, about the size of New Jersey, there are 28,000 police, 4,000 of which are border patrol.  He said when police are in their vehicle, their blue lights are always flashing for high visibility.

Every citizen is required to serve in the military.

Among other areas, the group observed Israeli bomb disposal squads, K-9 training, SWAT exercises and traffic control-which is accomplished with technology and extensive use of cameras.
Below are SWAT exercises

They deal with much the same problems of our law enforcement. a 25 second video

Sheriff Griffin stated his philosophy has always been for Sheriff's Deputies to treat people as customers, with respect.  He stated the Israeli Police have begun to follow this approach.  After a $80,000 investment to train officers in this approach the first year, it was so successful their training budget was increased to $750,000.

Israeli law requires many businesses to have paid security-anywhere there may be a crowd.  Going to a mall will have your bags searched before being allowed to enter.  Even a trip to McDonald's will have you checked for weapons with a wand before entering.