Top Israeli Police Commander Amir Cohen Announces Retirement After 38 Years
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
Central District Police Commander Amir Cohen announced his retirement after 38 years of service, including significant leadership roles during the October 7th attacks. He commanded forces in the Southern District during the initial Hamas assault and later led the Central District, where crime rates saw notable decreases. Cohen's tenure was marked by his personal involvement in combat and his efforts to document the bravery of his officers.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Commander Amir Cohen is retiring from the Israel Police after 38 years of service.
- Cohen led Southern District officers in combat during the October 7th Hamas attack.
- He was wounded on October 7th but refused medical evacuation to continue commanding.
- As Central District commander, Cohen oversaw significant drops in crime rates.
- Cohen documented the October 7th battles in his book "50 Hours in October."
Commander Amir Cohen, the current head of the Central District Police, has announced his intention to retire from the Israel Police after 38 years of service. In a statement, Cohen expressed his pride in leading officers during the "standoff battles" that prevented the spread of the October 7th massacre, stating, "It is our generation, and it is our turn to fight for our home." He added that he would carry the fallen and wounded in his heart and be grateful for the opportunity to serve the country.
In August 2023, he was appointed commander of the Southern District, just two months before the Hamas attack.
On October 7th, Cohen declared the "Peresh Pleshet" (a specific operational order) at 6:41 AM. Southern District officers were among the first responders, engaging terrorists and fighting in dozens of locations to halt the massacre's spread. During that day, 58 officers and soldiers were killed and hundreds wounded. Cohen personally commanded dozens of battle zones for approximately 50 consecutive hours, fought terrorists, was wounded, and refused evacuation to continue leading his forces.
He later documented the officers' bravery in his book "50 Hours in October." After his tenure in the Southern District, he was appointed commander of the Central District. In this role, he implemented an offensive operational concept, established the "Eyal" sector, and combatted serious crime, illegal weapons, and enhanced personal security. During his command of the Central District, crime rates significantly decreased, including a 13% drop in property crimes and a 21% reduction in vehicle thefts. Murder cases fell by 67%, with 72% fewer victims in the Arab community. Drug-related offenses also saw increased enforcement.
In traffic safety, road accidents decreased by 21% in urban areas, with a 36% drop in fatal accidents. The Central District also recruited over 300 new officers during Cohen's leadership.
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