Police Minister Ronni Milo announced Thursday a major reorganization of the Israeli police — mainly in Jerusalem — six days after a special commission issued a report sharply critical of the way the top police brass handled the Temple Mount riots on Oct. 8.
A spokesman for the minister said it would include personnel changes, but he did not specify any. Apparently no dismissals or disciplinary action are contemplated.
The official announcement Thursday said the changes were the result of the “special need to cope with security problems in Israel, particularly in Jerusalem.”
In practical terms, it is expected that Jerusalem will be made an independent police district headed by an officer with the rank of commander.
The reorganization process is expected to take several months, by which time the personnel changes would be depicted as a routine reshuffle rather than punitive action.
The police commander of the southern district, Rahamim Comfort, is expected to retire somewhat earlier than he had planned.
Assistant Commander Arye Bibi, head of the Jerusalem police, will be reassigned to a different post, apparently outside Jerusalem.
The highest-ranking police officer, Inspector General Ya’acov Terner, will retain his rank and his job. But Milo will become more involved in routine police operations, as the commission, headed by reserve Gen. Zvi Zamir, a former chief of Mossad, recommended.
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