Four More Female Officers Testify Against Top Israel Police Cop

Four more policewomen gave testimony on Sunday about the behavior of Maj. Gen. Hagai Dotan to the Justice Ministry department for the investigation of police officers. The investigators are trying to determine whether any of the policewomen had been promoted by Dotan, who was their direct commander, in return for sexual favors.

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In contrast to other commanders, including former Deputy Police Commissioner Nissim Mor and former Maj. Gen. Niso Shaham, Dotan continues to deny the allegations against him, insisting he had no sexual contact with the policewomen. The Justice Ministry investigators, however, see problems with Dotan’s version of events, and are continuing to seek more testimony.

Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino on Sunday convened all Israel Police officers from the rank of chief superintendent and above for an emergency meeting at the Police Academy in Beit Shemesh to discuss the damage the recurring allegations of sexual misconduct are causing to the force.

“Whoever is not suited to the ethics of the organization, whoever doesn’t believe in our way of doing things or doesn’t think it suits him is cordially invited to leave; just go,” said Danino. “Whoever stays with us will have to uphold all the ethical, moral, and command requirements that go with wearing the Israel Police uniform.”

“I will not compromise on the backs of our policemen and I will say this until my last day on the job. I will not let a handful of officers cause harm to the organization, it doesn’t matter what rank they are,” he said.

Alluding to calls for him to resign after seven senior officers were dismissed or resigned under clouds of suspicion, Danino said, “To take responsibility it’s not enough to say ‘I’m responsible.’ To take responsibility is to take responsibility for the process, to take responsibility for the people, and to take responsibility for getting us out of the situation in which we find ourselves. That’s called taking responsibility, and each of you have that responsibility.”