MK David Amsellem, who chairs the Knesset Interior Committee, is calling on 1,600 officers serving in Israel Police to take a polygraph exam towards determining the level of their integrity and character. The officers maintain such an exam is “an aggressive move as well as intrusive”.
Police Chief Roni Alsheich has already probed the background of candidates for senior posts, and in some cases, asked the candidate to submit to a polygraph. Of late, the department has been cooperating with Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan, who is working to legislate a law that any candidate for the post of ‘Nitzav’ (Deputy Chief) will have to take a polygraph.
The department seems fine with the process for the high-ranking post but there is a shout of disapproval in response to Amsellem’s call to extend the polygraph to lower ranking officers, totaling about 1,600 officers. He feels officers should be required to take a lie-detector test once every three years towards maintaining the integrity of the department. He adds “If you have nothing to hide, what is the big deal”, that “If I were head of the department I would back such a move”. Amsellem adds the department spends hundreds of thousands of shekels on public relations and towards maintaining its image, and he feels this will do more towards maintaining the department’s image than spending money as mentioned.
Representatives of the department’s rank and file explain Amsellem’s plan is simply too aggressive a move, by placing the integrity of the entire department in question.
They are calling on Amsellem to back down and withdraw the bill that may become law and thereby compelling the officers are he envisions should be the case.
Public Security Minister Erdan backs the bill, and feels this will give Police Chief Alsheich another tool towards increasing the public trust in the department. Erdan adds that he understands the concerns of Amsellem and other law makers and a compromise must be found that will also reduce the risk of leaking information pertaining to investigations while also avoiding placing the integrity of the entire department into question as well as leveling suspicions at all its officers.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
There are many police departments around the world that obligate officers to take a polygraph when requested. In fact in some departments, refusal is grounds for summary dismissal. It is argued that being a policeman is a privilege and that there should never be any doubts as to the integrity of the police. The logic is sound.
Only 1 thing can change their image. Change their behavior. Anything else they do is bs and everyone will know it.