Top Police Investigator Criticizes Prosecution, Police Over Pressure Tactics
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Boaz Balt, head of the Israeli Police's Investigations and Intelligence Department, has criticized the prosecution for allegedly using delayed case handling as a pressure tactic. He also accused the Police Internal Investigations Department of using similar methods against officers and stated the prosecution neglects crime in the Arab community. Balt further expressed concern over police officers' reduced willingness to confront senior criminals due to fear of repercussions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Police Investigations Chief Boaz Balt criticized prosecution for alleged pressure tactics.
- Balt claims prosecution delays cases for up to a year to pressure individuals.
- He accused the Police Internal Investigations Department of similar tactics against officers.
- Balt stated the prosecution neglects crime in the Arab community.
- He warned of officers' declining willingness to confront senior criminals.
Boaz Balt, the head of the Israeli Police's Investigations and Intelligence Department, has been recorded criticizing the conduct of the State Prosecution, the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash), and the police force itself. The recordings, aired on Channel 12 on Sunday, reveal Balt's concerns that the prosecution may be using delayed case handling as leverage to pressure individuals involved in investigations. He stated that some investigation files remain unprocessed for extended periods, sometimes up to a year, before being reopened with requests for further investigation, which he described as "pressure levers" applied to people.
Balt also extended his criticism to Mahash, alleging that the department employs similar tactics against police officers, potentially leading to investigations for officers who deviate from expectations. Furthermore, he pointed to what he perceives as insufficient attention by the prosecution to crime within the Arab community, suggesting a disproportionate focus on public corruption cases while neglecting other serious offenses.
Perhaps his most pointed remarks were directed at the police's operational effectiveness, particularly concerning senior criminals. Balt indicated a decline in officers' willingness to confront high-level criminals in recent years, citing a fear of negative repercussions from such encounters. He used the Abu Latif crime family as an example, stating that they were thoroughly investigated multiple times annually in the past but are now rarely checked. This reluctance, he warned, can lead officers to avoid engaging with criminals or even ignore incidents requiring intervention.
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