In September, 2009, the Minister of Public Security published his policy for the Ministry of Public Security and its operational agencies for the years 2009-2010, as formed and agreed upon by the Ministry of Public Security.
The policy document raises key subjects which the Minister intends on spearheading over the mentioned timeframe and was prioritized among the activities of the Ministry and its agencies. The implementation of the policy will be reflected in the perennial and yearly work plan of the Ministry and its operational agencies.

General
The Minister of Public Security heads the governmental system which is responsible for a number of key issues in the field of homeland security in the State of Israel. The Minister of Public Security sets and approves the comprehensive policy of the Ministry, according to which the Ministry's subordinate agencies and bodies will act upon.

The policy document summarizes the primary goals, secondary goals, principles and emphases which were set by the Minister, and from them the conceptual framework and central efforts and activities of the Ministry and its agencies will be formed. The policy sets the mutual language, discussion basis and general guidelines and priorities. Achieving the objectives of the policy will allow the realization of the goals and continue forward towards fulfilling the vision.

The goals set in this document are perennial goals which will be the basis of the Ministry's and its subordinate agencies' work plans for the upcoming years, with an emphasis on 2009-2010. The Minister will conclude and publish in the near future the work plans for the rest of 2009 and 2010; these work plans will summarize the primary missions, responsibilities and timetables.

In order to implement the policy, in some cases a system-wide, well coordinated action will be needed which will make use of the capabilities and resources in the most efficient way, and in other cases, the implementation of the policy will be done through an independent action of an agency or body subordinate to the Minister, with no other assistance or cooperation required.  

The implementation of the policy will be possible, among others, by cooperation with other government offices; other law enforcement agencies in Israel; and other organizations and bodies.

The policy is the foundation for the planning and preparedness of the agencies and bodies subordinate to the Ministry; and is a foundation for the budgetary policy of the Ministry, as well as the allocation of resources among the organizations and bodies.

In any case in which it seems that the Minister's policy contradicts any other work plan of its agencies and bodies, it is within the responsibility of the latter to disclose this contradiction. These contradictions will be discussed and decided upon with representatives of the Ministry, the Minister or Director General, pending the issue and necessity.

Background
Over the past decades, the issue of homeland security has taken a bigger part in the overall equation of the national strength. Phenomena such as violence, delinquency, organized crime and public corruption are grasped today as sever threats on the foundations of Israel and its society. At the same time, terror threats and potential wars which endanger the home front and civilians are continuously growing.

The Ministry of Public Security and its subordinate agencies and bodies have undergone major process and changes over the past years:

• The Israel Police has extended and intensified the scope of its activities in confronting severe crime and public corruption, while developing new organizational structures and a number of new professional and operational capabilities;
• The Israel Prison Service has become the sole national correction service in Israel, and has doubled in size and activities;
• The Israel Witness Protection Authority was established and is in its early stages; its establishment is going to drastically improve Israel's capabilities in confronting severe and organized crime;
• The national pilot of the "City without Violence" program, which was launched two years ago, ended successfully. The program is planned to be institutionalized and expand the scope of activities;
• The Israel Anti Drug and Alcohol Authority was recently put under the responsibilities of the Minister of Public Security and is playing a key role in the prevention and treatment efforts.

Mission of the Ministry of Public Security:
To be the primary arm of the Israeli Government which is responsible for the law enforcement, battle against crime, maintaining public order and protection of the public against terror attacks; imprisonment of offenders, their rehabilitation and supervision of prisoners; protection of witnesses within the witness protection program; prevention of violence and delinquency in society; prevention and treatment in the field of drug and alcohol abuse.

Vision of the Ministry of Public Security:
To lead towards a significant improvement in the personal security, sense of security, and community security of the citizens and residents of Israel, to create a law abiding society and  to reject violence and crime – all in order to offer a higher quality of life for the citizens and residents of the State of Israel.