From the Editor
Hiddai Wagschal
Head, Division of Information Services
Ministry of Public Security

The State of Israel is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its founding and, in these celebrations, a special emphasis is placed on the future generation; the 60th year of Israeli statehood is marked as Israel's Year of the Child.

Much of the activity of the Ministry of Public Security through its various branches involves work with children and youth that is designed to promote their personal development and which thus makes a significant contribution to public security in Israeli society through distancing children and youth from crime and through teaching them to be law-abiding citizens who respect others.

In this booklet, you can read about special projects where Metzila is a key player and which contribute to the local community through the empowerment of its young citizens. The article about raising dogs to serve national security describes a unique project run by the Chief Scientist in which youths are actively involved.

This issue of Innovations Exchange presents the impressive extent to which the Israel Police and the Israel Prison Service interact with youth.

Another issue that we have focused on in this booklet is training, the development of the future generation and personal feedback in Israel's law enforcement network and which is the topic of the article about the IPS' Nir Training Center and about the future training center of the Israel Police.

The Public Security Minister's Research Award was granted last year to Chief Superintendent Amihai Hever for developing The Training Dictionary. I deeply regret the fact that Amihai will not see his article, which appears in this issue of Innovations, due to his having passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.

The past year has been one of great momentum for the Ministry of Public Security, as can be seen in the booklet's selection of news items about the ministry.

I wish to thank all those who have been involved in the production of this booklet, especially my friends in the Israel Police, the Israel Prison Service and the Ministry of Public Security.

I would like to conclude with a prayer for the future, for a future full of productive, positive activity that will lead to new horizons; for shining achievements in all areas of public security and for the success  of the future generation, who are the true face of the State of Israel.