Commissioner to launch new policing program in coming months

The program drew criticism for the marked rise in the number of suspects held in custody until the end of legal proceedings, and quotas leading to a rise in indictments.

By BEN HARTMAN
Updated: JANUARY 13, 2016 01:51
Israeli border police guards secure near the scene of a shooting incident in Tel Aviv (photo credit: REUTERS)
Israeli border police guards secure near the scene of a shooting incident in Tel Aviv
(photo credit: REUTERS)
New National Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh will in the coming months unveil a national policing program that should significantly change the often controversial policies put in place by his predecessor, Yohanan Danino.
Police confirmed that the program – called The Arrangement – will be launched in the coming months, and will involve police tailoring their performance goals according to each station’s needs. Contrary to a report by Army Radio on Tuesday, the plan does not involve a complete cancellation of Danino’s Turning Point program, but a tailoring of it towards individual community and station needs, as opposed to nationwide policing goals and standards.
Police said that in the coming months each station will compile an assessment of their priorities and major problem areas to be presented to the commissioner. Only after this step will performance goals be set by police.
Unveiled in 2012, Turning Point was launched with the intent to provide greater services to citizens, largely through dispatch centers. The program was also meant to put more emphasis on deterrence, which would be assessed by stations meeting preset arrest and indictment goals.
The program drew criticism for the marked rise in the number of suspects held in custody until the end of legal proceedings, and for quotas that lead to a rise in indictments, including for nonviolent offenses.