Court convicts top police official of sexual harassment
Mualem knew the policewoman-victim of his sexual harassment as part of his role as a police commander and started to exploit his higher rank and older age to pressure as early as March 2015.
By YONAH JEREMY BOBUpdated: MAY 16, 2016 03:53Israel Police logo(photo credit: Courtesy)
Police Ch.-Supt. and Migdal Ha’emek Commander Ami Mualem was convicted on Sunday of sexual harassment and breach of trust by the Haifa Magistrate’s Court.According to the charges for which he was convicted, Mualem knew the policewoman-victim of his sexual harassment in his position as a police commander and began to exploit his higher rank and older age to pressure her as early as March 2015.From March 2015 until July 2015, Mualem maintained a relationship with her in which he made sexual proposals and insinuations, and generally related to her in a sexual manner, implying that if she played along with his sexual advances he could help her advance in her career.On March 21, 2016, Mualem admitted to the charges as part of a plea bargain agreement.Many of the exact details regarding the harassment and identity of the victim remain under gag order.In February,the Justice Ministry announced that it would not file a criminal case against former Coastal District commander Hagai Dotan, who was fired in February 2015 for sexual misconduct, but instead would recommend he face disciplinary charges.At the time he was fired, Dotan was the eighth officer with the rank of assistant chief – the second highest in the police force – to be dismissed or to resign over the course of a year-and-a-half for sexual misconduct.Police Commissioner Roni Alsheich has sparked controversy with statements indicating that going forward he may follow-up on sexual harassment complaints less aggressively.
