Senior police officers to be polygraphed

In an effort to stem leaks to the press, the Ministerial Committee on General Security Services (Shin Bet) Affairs voted unanimously on Wednesday to introduce polygraph tests to all police officers from the rank of commander upwards. The initiative has the backing of Public Security Minister Avi Dicther, as well as Police Chief Insp. Gen. David Cohen, who has previously blasted the tendency of some senior officers to leak information to the media. The decision was taken after extensive research carried out by the police, the attorney general's office, and the Shin Bet, and the committee has ruled that the tests will take place when the police commanders take up their positions, and may be applied periodically thereafter.