A criminal indictment was handed down in the Beersheva Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday against former Israel Police Kiryat Malachi Chief Amir Kimchi, who is alleged to have tampered with statistics to prove his command was functioning as expected.

YWN reported in March 2008 (HERE) that the commander persuaded many citizens to forgo filing complaints towards achieving statistical proof that his station was getting a handle on crime. He also hid files and took other measures to hide crime in his district.

Charges against the former commander include tampering with evidence, intimidating witnesses, betrayal of public trust, and interference in official investigations.

The prosecutor maintains Kimchi successfully hid reports of burglaries and violent crimes, painting a totally different picture regarding his command than was the case in reality. Kimchi frequently appointed himself in charge of investigations, thereby able to bury files.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)