The Israeli Model for Policing Terrorism: Goals, Strategies, and Open Questions

To date, there are few descriptions of possible policing models for responding to terrorism and enhancing homeland security.  This article reviews the Israeli model for policing terrorism, presenting an initial description of its three broad tasks as defined by the Israeli police: first, the early prevention, interdiction, and treatment of sources of terrorism; second, the response activities once the attack has been launched; and, third, the response activities once the attack has occurred. These tasks are developed in the context of an overarching goal of allowing Israeli citizens to continue with their normal routines despite terrorist threats. The authors raise a series of questions that they view as being critical for developing a broader understanding of the potential benefits, as well as dangers, of general service police agencies taking a more significant role in counterterrorism and homeland security functions