News        from ABAC

Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30 -- 2802 Moore Highway Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-5056 mchason@abac.edu

IMMEDIATE FEBRUARY 22, 2005

ABAC’S PURCELL TO TRAVEL TO ISRAEL

TIFTON—Billy Purcell, Assistant Chief of Police at Abraham Baldwin College, will travel to Israel in May to take part in the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE) program. GILEE was established in 1992 as a joint project of Georgia State University and law enforcement.

The program covers Purcell’s room, food, airfare, and ground transportation.

“I’m really excited about going. We will get to see four or five different cities throughout the trip,” said Purcell.

While there, Purcell and 14 other law enforcement officials will receive anti-terrorist training from Israeli law enforcement.

On April 27, Purcell will meet his travel companions in an orientation. This will be the 13^th delegation through the GILEE program. ABAC Police Chief Bryan Golden is a graduate of the program.

“I am thankful for Chief Golden and the college’s support for this trip,” said Purcell.

Through this program, Purcell can teach other law enforcement agencies and the civilian population the techniques he will learn abroad. The GILEE program is accredited by both state and federal governments.

He will also get credit for training from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Justice.

The goals of the program are to enhance inter-agency cooperation between the state of Georgia law enforcement and the police force of Israel; to offer an educational professional program to senior Israeli law enforcement officials in Georgia; and to offer an educational professional program to senior Georgia law enforcement officials in Israel, primarily in the areas of counter-terrorism and drug interdiction.

###