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Nissim Edri
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Officer embroiled in police sex scandal forced to resign

Commander Nissim Edri dismissed after he failed to report district police chief's alleged sexual misconduct; Edri to face disciplinary hearing

Jerusalem Periphery Police Commander Nissim Edri, who failed to report the alleged sexual misconduct of Jerusalem District Police Commander Niso Shaham has been forced to resign Sunday.

 

Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino informed Edri that he would not be continuing in his post and that he would have to face a disciplinary hearing.

 

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Danino, who ordered Edri be placed on leave pending the investigation's conclusion, refused to comment on the issue.

 

In August, it was decided that Edri would not face criminal charges. The Police Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) recommended that the Department take only punitive disciplinary action against Edri.

 


תנ"צ אדרי בדרכו לשימוע במשטרה (ארכיון) (צילום: אוהד צויגנברג) 

Nissim Edri with attorney Zion Amri (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

 

An IAB source explained that while police protocols demand any misconduct case be reported immediately, Edri's knowledge of the case extended to "third-party hearsay," which is vastly different from preventing a female soldier from filing a complaint – as was initially suspected.

 

The investigation initially focused on the possibility that Edri was made aware of Shaham's sexual misconduct via a female officer's direct commander, but refrained from reporting it.

 

Edri denied the allegations at first, but after he was confronted with the officer who relayed the information, he admitted to "being told of the events."

 

IAB concluded that "The senior officer's behavior and his failure to report the case as expected raise the possibility other disciplinary infringements."

 

However, the investigation did not find any evidence to warrant criminal charges, and therefore decided to recommend disciplinary action.

 

Following the investigation's conclusions, Danino will be advised whether or not to reinstate Edri back into the police force. 

 

Attorney Zion Amir, who represents Edri, said that "There was never any doubt that he was innocent. I'm happy to see that it only took (IAB) a few days to reach that conclusion.

 

"As for the disciplinary action, we will state our position before the Police Disciplinary Board. We are convinced that the disciplinary procedure will end favorably as well."

 

Shaham is suspected of sexual harassment, committing an indecent act and imposing sexual intercourse on female subordinates. During his investigation, Shaham claimed that he had consensual relations with one of the complainants.

 

Shaham had taken leave late last month and has been replaced by Major-General Mani Yitzhaki.

 

Omri Efraim contributed to this report

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 10.21.12, 12:16
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