Cop arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing 15-year-old girl with special needs

Police Internal Investigations Department says officer suspected of indecent assault, attempted rape while returning teen to institution she had escaped

A patrol police officer was arrested earlier this week on suspicion of committing grave sexual offenses against an underage girl with special needs whom he had detained, the Police Internal Investigations Department (PIID) said Thursday.

The cop has been questioned on suspicion of indecent assault and attempted rape, and is being brought Thursday for a remand hearing at the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court, said the PIID, a Justice Ministry body tasked with probing police misconduct.

The statement said the PIID’s Tel Aviv team had conducted a covert investigation that has now been made public.

Hebrew media reported that the victim is 15 years old and had escaped the special needs institution where she is staying.

The cop detained her in order to escort her back to the institution, and committed the alleged crimes on the way, the reports said.

The complaint was filed to the PIID by the institution, after the girl told a social worker what had happened.

The Israel Police commented that “the incident is being investigated at the PIID and we will act in accordance with the developments and investigation findings.”