Israeli trip once in a lifetime opportunity, Cook says Updated

Paul Cook leaves for the holy land tonight.

The North Bay police chief and other provincial police leaders are heading out on an historic five-day mission to Israel that will provide them with the chance to explore Israeli police procedures, obtain information on anti-terrorism and security matters and meet with senior police and Israeli Defence Force officials and Palestinian police officials.

Cook said the trip was brought about after conversations York Regional Police Service chief Armand LaBarge had with members of his area's Jewish community.

The Ontario government also took an interest in the trip, Cook said, as did the Ontario Chiefs of Police and the Canadian Jewish Congress Ontario Region.

Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Monte Kwinter co-chairs the week-long mission along with CJCO chair Joel Richler and LaBarge.

"I'm very excited because it's a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Mayor Vic Fedeli said Cook will be going on the trip at his own expense and not using any city funds.

"He'll be taking vacation time off for this," Mayor Vic Fedeli said.

Cook, who has never been to Israel or the Middle East before, said the trip contains a very "high-end" agenda, but he couldn't elaborate because of security reasons.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the OACP and for Police Chiefs from across the province to witness firsthand the manner in which one of the world’s most sophisticated democratic states deals with terrorism and security in the 21st century,” Cook said.

The mission, he added, will allow him to see the latest law enforcement innovations in Israel "which could be applied to policing in North Bay and Callander."

"We'll have the opportunity to learn about the daily challenges faced by Israeli law enforcement organizations in relation to security issues and build on the excellent relationships that already exist between Israeli and Ontario police and provincial government officials," Cook said.

“It’s important that we, as police leaders, learn from colleagues in other parts of the world and apply what we learn in order to provide more effective and efficient policing to the communities we serve.”

Cook will be sharing his experiences in Israel with BayToday.ca readers upon his return.