Maine State Police

One of the organizations that sponsors these trainings is the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The ADL is a non-profit that works to combat anti-Semitism and advocate for Israel. In this context, the ADL runs a National Counter-Terrorism Seminar that has sent hundreds of top ranking officials to Israel to learn about combatting terror since 2003. That same year the ADL established an Advanced Training School that brings delegations of Israeli law enforcement to speak to American law enforcement officials, involving over 1,000 U.S. participants since the program began.

The State Police of Maine is among the departments that have sent delegates to Israel. Colonel Robert Williams served as Chief of the Maine State Police between 2011 and 2018, and attended a training in Israel with the ADL as a delegate of the National Counter-Terrorism Seminar in 2013. Chief Williams was trained in Israel by Binyamin Herness, Chief Superintendent, Commander of Kfar Saba Police Station. Chief Williams reported that he was impressed with Israel’s high-tech surveillance system:

[T]hey have a system of 200 cameras [in Jerusalem]…In the old part of the city, they can follow you anywhere…it was like Star Wars compared to what we do. – Chief Williams

Chief Williams reflected on his training to Israel in a local newspaper, saying it was too early to tell what part of his training will be implemented in Maine, given the differences between the United States and Israel. Yet Chief Williams defended a trooper accused of racial profiling, saying he was just doing his job.

“….profiling is not a dirty word….As odd as it is to us, it’s just a way of life for them. – Chief Williams

As of 2018, he became director of security at Colby College.