Torrance Police Department

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 Police Department of Torrance, California, is among the departments that have sent delegates to Israel. Bernard Christopher Anderson served as Deputy Chief of Torrance Police Department. Chief Anderson attended a training in Israel with the ADL as a delegate of the National Counter-Terrorism Seminar in September 2014. His training included meetings with Israeli security and intelligence officials, including high-ranking officials in both the Israel National Police and Israeli military, and high-level briefings on counter-terrorism operations, border and airport security, managing access to holy sites, advanced policing technology, and the use of media.

The ADL stated that because the training took place shortly after Operation “Protective Edge,” Israel’s military assault on Gaza in 2014, it offered a unique perspective to participants.”

“This was a once in a lifetime experience that has truly added to my personal and professional development. ” Chief Anderson