Following indictment: Aharonovitch fires Niso Shaham

Chief of Police Danino prevents retirement of former Jerusalem District Niso Shaham, recommends Internal Security Minister to dismiss him following sexual harassment charges

Omri Ephraim|Published: 10.28.13 , 19:46

Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch dismissed Jerusalem District Chief of Police Niso Shaham on Monday, following the severe charges against him, some of them related to alleged sex offences.

A week and a half ago it was reported that Shaham asked to retire from the police force, but the decision made to fire him following the recommendation of Chief of Police Yohanan Danino made his request redundant.

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The assessment that Shaham will be dismissed from the force was first published on Ynet.

Shaham (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

Shaham said in response to the decision: "To focus on protecting my reputation and proving my innocence, I can't stay in the force. I read the announcement released by police, and I'll respond regarding all these matters at court."

Shaham was charged with sexual harassment,indecent acts, breach of trust and fraud last month. He was ousted from his post and has been on vacation since. After charges were filed, the police spokesperson said that the chief of police will make a decision regarding Shaham following recommendations from legal sources and human resources.

A joint announcement made by the Internal Security Ministry and the Police Spokesperson's Office Tuesday said that "During August 2013 Shaham sought retirement but the chief of police did not find cause to approve his request since a decision regarding his indictment was pending. In October 2013, after charges were filed, Commander Shaham asked to retire and give up his layoff benefits. The chief examined the request thoroughly and denied it.

"Commander Shaham is an experienced officer who has received many awards and accreditations. However, due to the severity of the charges, his dismissal is necessary," the announcement read.

Chief of Police Danino said today that Shaham's behavior is not an indication of the norm in the Israeli police. "We won't let any incident – severe as it may be – mar a devoted serving public of 30,000 officers who serve Israel ceaselessly."

According to the indictment, which was filed with the Jerusalem Magistrates' Court, Shaham had numerous affairs and had sexual relations with a number of female police officers.

The indictment also describes the manner in which Shaham used his status to lure female underlings into intimate situations, and thus committed additional sexual offences. According to the indictment, he performed indecent acts on two female officers and sexually harassed another female officer of a lower rank, thus taking advantage of his position.

Shaham's attorney, Boaz Ben Zur, said Tuesday that "Commander Shaham rejected the prosecution plea bargain offer even though it included charges only for breach of trust. The choice to put him to trial for felonies mentioned in the indictment indicates an error with the prosecution authorities. Commander Shahar is to undergo legal proceedings in an orderly manner in an uncompromising battle to expose the truth, both in the matter of the accusations against him, and in the matter of the flawed investigation that followed. Commander Shahar is convinced that at the end of the proceedings the court will find he has done nothing wrong."