Tougher Screening Procedures for Israel Police

The bill seeks to restore public image of the Israel Police.

By Brian Del Rosario, Marketing —

A recently proposed bill in Israel would require a tougher screening rubric for applicants to the Israel Police. A statement by the Ministry of Public Security clarifies reasoning behind the proposed adjustment to screening procedures. The statement suggests that the bill was proposed by Israeli Minister of Public Security, Gilad Erdan, “after it came to Erdan’s attention that over the years a number of people have enlisted in the police who had connections to criminals or were themselves involved in crime or disciplinary offenses.” The bill seeks to restore public image of the Israel Police after various scandals involving senior officials and officers have been convicted of crimes or have had connections to suspects of criminal investigations.

The current proposal would require all applicants for senior positions to undergo polygraph examinations. The bill would also require certain applicants to undergo polygraph examinations if issues arise in pre-employment screenings. The ministry did clarify that criminal and disciplinary immunity will be given for most of the information from the screenings. However, candidates with criminal histories will not be considered for employment.

This proposed bill will likely introduce new costs to the applicant screening process. Polygraph examinations can cost over US$300 each. The screening process would lengthen as well. While polygraph examinations may complicate and lengthen the screening process, there are alternative lie detection technologies that may prove to better aid. (To learn more about these options, click here.) In the end, police departments are recognizing the dire need to hire honest workers. Gone are the days of hiring based on gut feelings or resumes. There is too much at stake.

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Photo courtesy of Mark Probst.