The police high school program is a joint project implemented by government offices and civil social organizations, and acts as a unique education model combining studies of the rule of law, community safety and active citizenship. Throughout the studies an emphasis is put on creating a framework capable of giving an equal opportunity to the heterogeneous society for personal growth and development.

 

Research has shown that system-wide activities in cooperation with law enforcement agencies can contribute to the minimization of violence. The recognition of this project as a national program and its contribution to the individual and the public by preventing crime and youth crime requires the continuous cooperation between all the relevant government offices and social organizations, based on a system-wide vision and the unity of relevant resources.

 

The first police high school program opened in 2004 in the Kanot Youth Village and in the Ma'a lot Youth Village. As of 2008, the program operates in three schools: Kanot (original program, coed studies), WIZO - Nir Ha'Emek (new program, coed studies) and  Hodayot (new program, religious highschool for boys). Each program is headed by an Israel Police officer ranked Superintendent.

 

The goal of the program is to provide a unique study track combining studies and hands on experience of issues dealing with law, democracy and police work.  The program includes police studies, criminology and sociology, all to empower the students with values and skills which will strengthen their commitment to the educational and law system, and will provide them with an opportunity to graduate high school without violence, crime and delinquency being a part of their lives.

 

In addition to the formal studies, non-formal studies are included in the program during the afternoons and evening. The police studies, both formal and non-formal are taught by the program's police officers. The program contributes directly to the student's development as law abiders and encourages social commitment and self assurance.

 

The selection of participating schools and youth villages is based on the surroundings and conditions of the locations and staffs which allow an active experience of policing and law enforcement.

 

The 10th grade students are located based on the requirements set by the admission committee, while giving preference to weaker students, new immigrants and residents of the periphery.

 

Upon graduation, the students interested in enlisting into the Israel Police or Border Police, can go through the normal recruitment process and join the public security agencies after completing the process. Although the Israel Police does not guarantee the recruitment of every graduate of the high school program, they are given preference in accordance to their compatibility and the police's needs.

 

The program is run on two different tracks:

1. A professional study track in criminology and sociology as part of the high school curriculum.

2. An educational-active program during afterhours in the dorms.

 

During the 2010-2011school year, the program was operational in three different schools. The curriculum was designed for the school students, and was authorized, after being reviewed, by the Department for Unique Study Programs in the Ministry of Education. Students in the criminology/sociology track take the matriculation exams in criminology at the end of their senior year.

 

1. Mezila, The Ministry of Public Security

2. The Administration for Rural Education, The Ministry of Education

3. The Ministry of Immigrant Absorption

4. The Israel Police

5. JDC Israel, through Ashelim

 

The Director General of the Ministry of Public Security is the head of the police high school program steering committee. The inter-ministerial committee coordinator is Ilani Ababa-Kampino.

- To impart educational values while focusing on the rule of law in a democratic state

- To lead towards academic achievements

- To raise awareness towards active citizenship and social commitment

- To develop leadership among the students

- To familiarize the students with the Israel Police

- To offer the opportunity to the students to do their mandatory army service in the police or border police.

- To offer a professional future in the Israel Police, based on the regular acceptance criteria

- To offer a unique educational experience as part of their studies

 

The curriculum is under the supervision of the Ministry of Education.