01 Jul
On July 1, 1994, the late martyr Yasser Arafat issued a presidential decree establishing the first Palestinian police service. The service was established to maintain public order, monitor laws, combat crime, provide security, and organize traffic. The Palestinian Police Service has been continuously developing since its inception, adding new sections and units to meet community needs. The most important of these is the Family and Juvenile Protection Unit, the Electronic Crime Unit, and the Explosives Engineering Unit. Palestinian women also hold senior positions within the police service. Since its inception, the Palestinian police have witnessed significant achievements with the support of Palestinian citizens and the security institutions. The Palestinian police have also been admitted to membership in the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), which will contribute to the prosecution of outlaws and the arrest and repatriation of financial and drug offenders. Every year, the Palestinian police celebrate festivities and honor police officers, believing that today is an occasion to intensify efforts to carry the high message of the police on the road to the rule of law and institutions.