Cmdr. Benny Kaniak will replace Ganot as head of the Prisons Service.
By REBECCA ANNA STOILdudi cohen 298.88(photo credit: Channel 10)
The Turkel Commission on Senior Civil Service Appointments met Friday and unanimously approved the choice of Cmdr. David Cohen to serve as Israel's top cop.
Cohen's quick okay came in sharp contrast to the stalled approval process that led Israel Prisons Service Commander Chief Warden Ya'acov Ganot to withdraw his candidacy for the same position.
When Public Security Minister Avi Dichter announced Cohen's nomination on Tuesday, the Central District commander's squeaky-clean record was cited as one of his qualifications for the job.
The previous nominee, Ganot, withdrew his name a day before the Turkel Commission was set to reject his appointment. Ganot was tried and found not guilty on charges of accepting bribes more than a decade ago.
Dichter said Friday he plans to take Cohen's nomination to the cabinet next Sunday. The cabinet vote, which is considered a formality, is the final hurdle that Cohen must pass before he becomes the Israel Police's 16th chief.
Dichter says the original date set for the handover of police leadership - May 1 - still stands.
Later this week, police Cmdr. Benny Kaniak will replace Ganot as head of the Prisons Service.
