Israel Police Shortens Officer Training Amid Staff Shortages

The Israel Police leadership has decided to shorten the officer training course from seven and a half months to five months due to a severe shortage of both general police officers and those in command positions, according to Haaretz. The decision also includes easing educational requirements for cadets. Previously, obtaining an academic degree was mandatory by the end of the course to become an officer. Now, the requirement for an academic degree will be shifted to criteria for career advancement. The new program requires approval from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to take effect. In recent years, the police have already lowered minimum requirements for psychometric test scores and Hebrew language proficiency for new recruits.