Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in cooperation with Public Security Minister Avi Dichter and Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On, decided today to reinforce the Israel Police by 1,000 officers in order to deal with crime.  This means a significant augmentation in the Israel Police's operational ability.  The recruitment of 1,000 police officers – to be stationed mainly in areas suffering from high crime rates – will begin soon.  This objective of this move, initiated by Public Security Minister Dichter, is to strengthen the personal security of Israeli citizens and to provide a better solution to the crime problem affecting the country's law-abiding citizens.  Minister Dichter and Israel Police Inspector-General Dudi Cohen briefed the Cabinet on the Israel Police's goals for the coming years as well as on the planned distribution of the new officers.
 
Prime Minister praised the move: "There is no police force in the world with as many responsibilities, in the fields of both crime and security, as the Israel Police.  Public Security Minister Dichter did not relent and Finance Minister Bar-On was objectively convinced of the need to enhance the police force with additional personnel to an extent not experienced for many years.  The aim is that the new police personnel will act and be seen at the stations, and will come in contact with citizens in order to strengthen the feeling of personal security."