Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., August 31, 2008 Av 30, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:25 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

The good cop By Haaretz Editorial Tags: Israel Police, Israel Three criminal cases monopolized public interest this week. The first was the case of Rose Pizem, whom police suspect was brutally murdered. The second was the arrest of the Abergil family heads and the possibility of extraditing them to the United States, following the horrific murder of Margarita Lautin on Bat Yam's beach, attributed to gang wars. The third issue came up while the police were grappling with these crimes - the public struggle between Police Commissioner David Cohen and Southern District Police Commander Uri Bar-Lev. The contrast between the first two issues and the third obliges the police to pull themselves together. They must fight the difficult battles against crime, not within themselves. Commissioner Cohen is a good cop, as far as is known, an honest, dedicated officer. He sincerely intends to run the police's districts, sections and some 30,000 personnel effectively. His readiness to air out corners that his predecessors neglected requires courage. It is more convenient to spend four years in office without confrontations, leaving difficult missions - especially those involving personal relations - to the next commissioner. Advertisement Cohen is not deterred by the need to face veteran officers, including those who reached deputy inspector general rank but are too old to be commissioners as they approach retirement age. Deputy Inspector General Bar-Lev is also a good cop. His performance in the south is impressive, both in evacuating the Gaza Strip in the summer of 2005 and in enforcing the law in Negev towns and the large areas between them. Bar-Lev, who is highly appreciated and liked by both policemen and citizens, is an important police asset. The police cannot afford to lose or waste him. Cohen was appointed for four years. Next spring, at about mid-term, he wants to reorganize some of the cards in his hand. Three district commanders he appointed - in Jerusalem, the north and the center - will remain in office. The fourth, in Tel Aviv, will be promoted after two years to deputy commissioner. Bar-Lev, the fifth commander, will end his role without being offered a district or other section. This apparently arbitrary decision needs explaining. For example, why not offer Bar-Lev the position of investigations and intelligence section head - a self-evident move in view of his background? Nobody is disputing Cohen's authority to put together a top brass staff based on a broad view of the police's present and future needs. However, implementing this authority must withstand the scrutiny of the public and its elected representatives. Cohen's conduct has not made it clear so far that appointing Bar-Lev to another job, near the end of his term in the south (and not at the end of a year's study, which Cohen does not want), would have caused the police crossword puzzle irrevocable damage. Cohen and Bar-Lev are not good cop and bad cop. They both act on the basis of their position and point of view. Perhaps if things were reversed, Commander Cohen would be protesting Commissioner Bar-Lev's treatment of him. But at the moment the main responsibility for the situation rests with Cohen. Cohen, with Public Security Minister Avi Dichter's help, must overcome his impulses and solve the crisis. The criminals won't wait graciously for the wrangling policemen. Bookmark to del.icio.us   World War III A top Iranian general says an attack on Tehran would ignite a 'world war'. Raising the price Hamas says won't compromise, Israel must free 1,000 prisoners for Shalit.

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