Police Commissioner Insp.-Gen Roni Alsheich appointed longtime cop Dep.-Ch. Gadi Siso to head the police’s Intelligence and Investigations Division, a sensitive branch that oversees everything from organized crime, political corruption and white collar crime, among others.
The appointment was announced in a police statement on Monday.
Siso, a 33-year veteran of the force, will be leaving as head the Serious and International Crime Unit, and will be promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief.
His appointment is due to begin towards the end of 2017 after he gets a stamp of approval from Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan and completes required security checks.
The appointment comes at a sensitive time, when multiple criminal investigation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are still ongoing. Siso is replacing Asst.-Ch. Manny Yitzhaki, who has been a key figure in investigating Netanyahu.
According to one police source, the appointment was greeted with applause at Lahav 433 headquarters in Lod, “He is professional and has years of experience in investigations and intelligence,” the source said, “I think this is the right decision for the police.”
Siso is known to have been instrumental in “Case 512,” one of the largest organized crime busts in Israel’s history in 2015.
Five other appointments were also announced on Monday they were: Asst.-Ch. David Bitan as Tel Aviv District Commander, Asst.-Ch. Moti Cohen as Southern District Commander, Dep.-Ch Peretz Omer as Central District Commander, Dep.-Ch Ami Eshed to Central District Commander, and Dep.-Ch. Avshalom Peled to head of national headquarters. Omer, Eshed, and Peled will be promoted to rank of Assistant Chief.
In a statement publishing the announcements the Israel Police said they wish the officers, “much success along the way.”
