Israeli Police Recruit Students with Special Needs as Volunteers
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
Eleven students with special needs in Israel have become police volunteers in a new pilot program, assisting canine and mounted units and aiding officer training in communication with individuals with disabilities.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Eleven students with special needs became police volunteers in Israel.
- The pilot program involves assisting canine and mounted units.
- Volunteers will help train officers in communicating with people with disabilities.
- The students are aged 11-21 from Holon's "Meitarim" school.
- The program aims to provide practical experience and improve police-community relations.
In a first for Israel, eleven students with special needs have been inducted as police volunteers in a unique pilot program. The ceremony took place at a horse farm in Beer Yaakov, where students aged 11 to 21 from the "Meitarim" school in Holon, including those with autism spectrum disorder and learning difficulties, received their police uniforms. The event was particularly meaningful for many families, as the uniforms were presented by their fathers and brothers who are already serving in the Israeli police. The program, reported by Channel 14, is both symbolic and practical. While the volunteers will not have police powers or be involved in operational duties, they will assist the canine and mounted units in Beit Dagan and Beer Yaakov once a week. Their tasks will include caring for equipment, farm work, and other suitable duties. Beyond assisting the units, the project aims to train police officers in communicating effectively with individuals with developmental disabilities, improving their interactions with citizens during emergencies and investigations. Each volunteer has an individualized support plan.
