Ex-senior cop indicted on sexual harassment charges

Prosecutors on Tuesday filed an indictment against former deputy Israel Police commissioner officer Hagai Dotan for a series of sexual harassment charges.

Six counts of conduct unbecoming an officer, including three involving sexual harassment, were brought against Dotan before an internal police disciplinary tribunal.

The decision to stand him trial before a disciplinary court and drop criminal charges was made after a deal was struck with prosecutors by which he would plea guilty to the charges in the indictment.

According to the charges against him, Dotan on multiple occasions approached female officers under his command and made sexually explicit remarks to them. Among other remarks, Dotan told one female subordinate that “I would die to kiss you,” according to the indictment he’s to plead guilty to.

Dotan’s case broke a year ago among of a slew of sexual harassment claims lodged against top police officials, leading to a serious crisis within the force and calls for police officials to clean house. He resigned from the Israel Police in September under a cloud of accusations.

The allegations against Dotan came to light after several women lodged a complaint with the internal affairs unit of the police last year.

Five female police officers who complained about Dotan were also summoned for questioning about their claims of what was primarily verbal abuse. However, despite having given testimony, none of the women pressed charges.

Dotan, 55, took command of the Israel Police coastal district in 2011.