Erdan and Netanyahu proud of Hirsch appointment

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan defends his decision to appoint Gal Hirsch to the position of police chief.

“Gal Hirsch is an outstanding officer who led reforms and change in every unit he headed,” Erdan tells Channel 2. “I am convinced that he is the best candidate at this time to lead the change Israel Police needs and to increase [the public’s] trust in the force.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pleased with Erdan’s choice.

“Hirsch is an esteemed fighter and general who served in a string of commanding positions in the IDF and led his people to battle and to many operations with courage and creativity,” says Netanyahu. “As the intended police chief he will march police forward in light of the challenges it is facing and while continually striving to increase the personal security of the citizens of Israel and to strengthen the rule of law.”

Israel Police was recently headed by Tel Aviv District Commander Bentzi Sau, serving as interim chief since Yochanan Danino stepped down.

The police is coming out of a year in which the force was tarnished by a string of allegations alleging sexual misconduct in the force’s top tier.

Charges against top officers range from consensual dalliance with subordinates to outright harassment and abuse of authority. Over the past few months, there have been calls from many quarters that the next chief of police come from outside the force and give the organization a jolt and also restore the public’s trust in the institution.

Several months ago, Netanyahu even proposed, albeit in a casual remark during a press conference devoted to a different issue, that maybe the time has come for a female police chief.