Police advancing officer who shot civilian in Sharon despite legal proceedings

Police are considering promoting Chief Superintendent Ohad Goldberg, who shot a civilian in the back during an arrest, while the Police Internal Investigations Department has appealed his acquittal. The district commander praised him but clarified that the appeal delays the promotion.

Police are examining a rank promotion for Chief Superintendent Ohad Goldberg, commander of the crime-fighting unit in the Sharon district, while the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash) has appealed a Kfar Saba Magistrate's Court decision not to convict him. Goldberg, son of retired Superintendent Boaz Goldberg, admitted to shooting a civilian in the back during an arrest at a store in a gas station at Kibbutz Baham on December 30, 2023. He noticed a man having an aggressive conversation with the clerk, thought it was a robbery, and claims he acted accordingly. The court sentenced him to 100 hours of community service, probation, and 5,000 shekels compensation to the complainant. Mahash appealed to the Central District Court in Lod, arguing the punishment was lenient and the officer's conduct was highly negligent. In a letter, Central District Commander Superintendent Amir Cohen stated that a discussion on promoting the officer would take place, praising him as a "highly quality officer, eager to engage." Cohen emphasized the incident occurred about two months after the war began, with the officer acting alone in uncertainty. However, he clarified that the appeal currently prevents a decision on promotion, and if the officer is convicted, it would prevent his promotion.