Starting on the wrong foot? New police commissioner falls and breaks leg day before swearing-in

For now, Asst.-Ch. Bentzi Sau will remain the acting commissioner until Alsheich recovers.

By BEN HARTMAN
Updated: NOVEMBER 16, 2015 02:18
RONI ALSHEICH, the deputy Shin Bet head who has been named to lead the Israel Police (photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)
RONI ALSHEICH, the deputy Shin Bet head who has been named to lead the Israel Police
(photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)
A day before he was to be sworn-in as the commissioner of the Israel Police, Roni Alsheich fell and broke his leg while walking out of his house in Givat Shmuel on Sunday morning.
Alsheich is receiving treatment at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer and his swearing-in has been postponed until further notice.
Asst.-Ch. Bentzi Sau will remain the acting commissioner until Alsheich recovers.
Alsheich was scheduled to attend his swearing-in ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Office in the capital on Sunday, followed by a meeting with the president at his residence and another ceremony to be held at police headquarters. All the events were canceled.
Alsheich has been tasked with rehabilitating an organization beset by a series of very public scandals – including the termination or resignation of a series of top commanders accused or convicted of sexual misconduct.
Alsheich, the former deputy head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), was approved by the cabinet in October, and given a monthlong training and study period to prepare for the position.
The training period began as police across the country were on the front lines fighting daily terrorist attacks.
The appointment of Alsheich, a 52-year-old religious father of seven and a former major in the IDF who served in the Paratroop and Nahal brigades, follows the failed appointment of retired IDF brigadier-general Gal Hirsch to head the police. Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan rescinded Hirsch’s appointment after nearly a month amid controversy.