Law Enforcement Standing Together (LEST) will bring together law enforcement agencies and leaders from the United States and Israel  to share best practices, doctrines, and tactics as well as to address emerging issues in the law enforcement profession.  Additionally, and just as importantly, we will assist law enforcement personnel in meeting the challenges associated with experiences they encountered as a result of their service. 

Background

There is a longstanding history of cooperation and interaction between law enforcement agencies  in the United States and the Israel National Police (INP) that mirrors the close relationship between the two countries.  The core principles of Israel and the US,  both democracies with strong systems of criminal law that protect the rights of the people, are the foundation of the relationship.  American police executives visiting Israel almost immediately experience a bonding process based on the shared environment that exists between them and their  INP colleagues. Judicial oversight, an unfettered and often critical press, and a well defined system of law are all attributes that govern the way they work.

American law enforcement leaders recognize the benefits of a close working relationship with the INP.  Because of the history of Israel the INP, of necessity, has developed counter-terrorism practices, procedures, and protocols that are unrivaled among the world’s police agencies.  Most significantly, the INP has shown itself to be eager in sharing the lessons they have learned.  On multiple occasions we have heard INP leaders express the sentiment that through this relationship they hope limit the bloodshed resulting from terrorist attacks in the US.  To that the end the Commissioner of the INP has enthusiasticly endorsed the creation of LEST and is eager for us to begin our programming.  The INP and Internal Security Ministry Attache at the :Israeli Embassy in Washington DC, INP General Dror Avda will also take an active role in guiding our programming and facilitating our efforts in Israel.

The goal of LEST is to take the already important and successful relationship between the law enforcement executives of both countries to an entirely new level.  Building on what has gone before we will address important emerging issues such as resilience and wellness of police officers and the lessons learned through the experience of Israeli police on 10/7.  The  divergent experiences between  the  two countries has resulted in the evolution of different areas of expertise within law enforcement agencies in the US and Israel.  The INP is, without doubt, the foremost police agency in the democratic world in combatting terrorism.  In both prevention and response they lead the way in developing and implementing successful doctrine and procedures.  US police agencies have unparalleled skills in the investigation of complex and far ranging criminal conspiracy investigations.  The exchange of expertise and information that will take place under the auspices of LEST will benefit the citizens of both countries.