Police participation in "HaPatriotim": Mahash ruling and demands for the Police Commissioner
After ynet revealed that police commanders requested officers to attend the filming of the program "HaPatriotim" as audience members, the Police Investigation Department (Mahash) ruled there were no grounds for a criminal investigation, referring the matter to police disciplinary authorities.
Following the ynet exposé regarding the intention to bring dozens of police officers as an audience for the filming of the television program "HaPatriotim" ("The Patriots"), the acting head of the Police Investigation Department (Mahash), Adv. Ronen Yitzhak, determined that there are no grounds to open a criminal investigation into the affair, but ordered the matter to be transferred to the police's disciplinary department for examination.
The affair sparked public outcry after it was revealed that police commanders had approached officers and asked them to attend the filming, which took place on the last Independence Day during working hours. Following the publication and public criticism, the officers' participation was canceled by order of the Police Commissioner, Rav-Nitzav Dani Levy. The criticism intensified because the program "HaPatriotim" often features sharp criticism of law enforcement figures, raising questions regarding the preservation of the police's non-political character.
In response to an inquiry from MK Merav Michaeli, Yitzhak wrote:
"Under these circumstances, and without making light of the matter, we have reached the conclusion that a reasonable suspicion of an offense justifying the opening of a criminal investigation has not been established. I have found it appropriate to transfer your inquiry to the relevant authorities in the Israel Police, through the police's disciplinary department, for the purpose of examining the matter."
Upon receiving the response, Michaeli sent a letter to the Police Commissioner demanding disciplinary measures against the commanders involved. She stated:
"The very fact that commanders ordered their subordinates to report as an audience for a television program with a distinctly political character, while exploiting authority and service hours, constitutes a severe violation of the non-political character of the Israel Police, of proper administrative procedures, and of public trust, as well as a theft of time from its vital work."
Michaeli demanded that the Police Commissioner impose an official disciplinary reprimand on every commander who ordered officers to attend the filming and issue a binding directive to all levels of the police clarifying that it is forbidden to order or allow officers to participate in events with a political connection while on duty.
