AG: Bill giving justice minister power over internal police investigation department would politicize unit

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara pens a letter to the head of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee telling him that legislation he is advancing in committee, which would give the justice minister control over the Department for Internal Police Investigations (DIPI), would “systematically and structurally” politicize the department.

In a letter written by a deputy, the attorney general states that the new law would transform DIPI from a brake on the abuse of power by police and other law enforcement officials into a tool for government to direct the police.

The legislation, which was approved in its first reading last month, would remove the department from the authority of state prosecutors and set it up as an “independent” agency within the Justice Ministry. DIPI’s director would be chosen by a committee in which the justice minister would control the appointment of a majority of members.

“The bill removes the barrier between the political leadership and law enforcement. In practice, it therefore does severe harm to the entire law enforcement system, its independence, to the basic principles of a democratic regime, and the public,” the attorney general asserts.

“It appears that the arrangements included in the proposal are intended to create structured mechanisms through which the political echelon can improperly influence the handling of police and law enforcement investigations and their prosecution,” the attorney general adds.

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who has frequently given strong public support, and even promotions, to police officers accused of misconduct, accused Baharav-Miara of opposing the bill because DIPI in its current form “serves today as a crime organization under the guise of the ‘law enforcement system’ for creating false cases and settling scores.”

Adds Ben Gvir, “The moment that DIPI is taken out of their hands, their ability to create false cases and threaten excellent policemen and officers acting in accordance with the law will be significantly harmed.”