"A-political police": The unusual warning of the Police Commissioner to officers

Police Commissioner Danny Levi instructed that any officer expressing a political stance during their service will not be allowed to remain in the police force. In a discussion with the Central Elections Committee, representatives of the military and the Shin Bet, preparations for war, rocket fire, alarms, and disruptions on election day were examined.

Police Commissioner Danny Levi warned yesterday (Wednesday) that officers who express political views during their service will not be allowed to continue serving in the police. The remarks were made during a preparedness discussion ahead of the elections, attended by the senior police command staff, acting Director General of the Central Elections Committee Adv. Dean Levana, and representatives of the military and Shin Bet. Levi said: "The Israel Police is a professional and a-political police force, and so it will remain. I have unequivocally instructed that no officer will express their political views during their service, and anyone who violates this directive will not be able to continue serving in the police." The acting Director General of the Central Elections Committee said that cooperation with the police is "unprecedented in scope." As reported by C14, police preparations include scenarios of war, rocket fire, attacks, and disruptions during voting, discussed behind closed doors based on intelligence information. The police have formulated an operational plan including a concentrated exercise led by the head of the Operations Division. The police have mapped polling stations according to risk assessment; not every polling station will have a permanent officer stationed. Officers are briefed on how to act in case of an alarm or attack and receive a digital pocket guide. If significant escalation occurs, a conference call is expected between the Chairman of the Elections Committee, security establishment representatives, and the police.