Hall County Sheriff Completes 16-Day Leadership Training in Israel

Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch recently spent 16 days in Israel as part of an intensive public safety leadership training experience with Israel’s top police executives. The program is coordinated by the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE), a research center within Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. Sheriff Couch was among 17 Georgia police chiefs, sheriffs, command staff, and a deputy director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation who traveled to Israel.

Sheriff Couch said he and the rest of the delegation were able to travel to various locations in Israel, including war-torn Gaza. His experience gave him newfound appreciation for Israeli law enforcement.

“The police force in Israel faces challenges on a daily basis we can only imagine here in the United States. The Israeli Police agency suffered great losses during the course of the October 2023 terrorist attack with more than 60 killed defending their communities,” Sheriff Couch said. “I was extremely impressed with the level of professionalism they maintained while functioning in a virtual war zone with threats on all sides.”

The Sheriff said he also witnessed the strength of the Israeli people during his visit.

“I gained a deep appreciation for the country and its resilient people during a time of war. Despite facing ongoing challenges and threats from several terrorist groups, the Israelis exhibit remarkable strength and determination,” Sheriff Couch said. “My time there was a valuable learning experience.”

More than 1,300 law enforcement executives from the U.S. and countries around the world have graduated from GILEE peer-to-peer exchange programs in several countries and Georgia during its 33 years. Additionally, more than 45,000 public safety, homeland security, and police executives have attended GILEE-led special briefings, seminars, workshops, training sessions, and conferences featuring experts on issues related to homeland security, public safety, community policing, and law enforcement.