2010 News Archive 

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JC Police Chief attends security program in Israel

Johns Creek Police Chief Ed Densmore participated in the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange in Israel last month, joining a select group of U.S. law enforcement officials to learn security tactics from their Israeli counterparts.

"It was an invaluable experience, both professionally and personally. Most important, was the unique insight I gained with respect to dealing with threats to public safety... threats that can happen anywhere," said Densmore.

A joint project of Georgia State University and local, state, federal, and international law enforcement and public safety agencies, each year GILEE takes a group of top U.S. law enforcement officials to Israel and other countries to exchange information through peer-to-peer on-site training.

In return, international delegations come to Georgia to study how the U.S. deals with emergency management, homeland security, violent crime, special events, and urban and rural policing.

In 2008, Johns Creek Police hosted Israeli law enforcement officials who spent about two weeks with different law enforcement agencies across Metro Atlanta.

"It is very important to establish these relationships," said Densmore. "We live in an increasingly connected world."

Established in 1992, prior to the Atlanta Olympics, GILEE initially focused on anti-terrorism and improving Georgia's preparedness for terrorist attacks. Since 9/11, it has concentrated on enhancing homeland security efforts through international cooperation.

Over the last 18 years, GILEE has trained more than 650 law enforcement officials in its programs and more than 7,000 officers in its special briefings.