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The IDF's (Israel Defense Forces) security operations supersede Shabbat. In wartime, everything is chaotic, so it is important for things to be done in standard procedure, without any restrictions. In normal times, only activities necessary to ensure ongoing security should be carried out on Shabbat. These should follow the procedures established by the senior military leadership in conjunction with the military rabbinate.
Police activity must continue on Shabbat, not only to prevent terror attacks and lethal conflicts, but also to prevent thefts and property damage. If property damage or thefts are not dealt with on Shabbat, the crime rate will skyrocket, and people’s lives will ultimately be endangered. To do their jobs, police officers may ride in cars and write reports if necessary to prevent crime and catch criminals. Nevertheless, one may not call the police on Shabbat simply to fill out a report for an insurance claim or the like, since this can be postponed until after Shabbat. Similarly, it is forbidden to call the police on Friday night to complain about noisy neighbors. Since the situation is unlikely to become dangerous, a complaint should be filed after Shabbat.
