The police number close to 8,000 and have been establishing special units for anti-riot and judicial protection. Officials said EU equipment and training have led to the professionalization and improvement of the PA force, Middle East Newsline reported.

"Our goal is to build a modern and professional Palestinian police as the basis for the future state," police commander Maj. Gen. Hazem Atallah said.

Officials said PA police have received Western systems for crime identification and riot dispersal. They said Israel has blocked other equipment on grounds that they could be used against the military presence in the West Bank.

Atallah said the PA was adopting the EU model for police administration and excellence. He said this included the upgrade of community police services in an effort to help increase support for the Ramallah government.

"The police do not suffer from funding difficulties," Atallah said. "Our focus is the human element."

On Dec. 20, the PA special operations force completed a four-day training course in Ramallah. Officials said 14 special operations officers were instructed in such skills as body searches, control and arrest as well as communications.

Atallah said police were also bolstering manpower in forensics and traffic control. He said more than 700 police officers, instructed to operate advanced equipment, were trained by Germany to detect explosives and drugs. The PA has already prepared a 1-acre lot for a new forensic laboratory funded by Canada.

"We consider the subject of the forensic laboratory a major theme of our work, but it costs more than $20 million," Atallah said. "We have prepared the technical team and our police officers are able to work in the area."

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