Minister Amir Ohana: Border Police Commander - He is my candidate for Police Commissioner

December 15, 2020   

Public Security Minister Amir Ohana has decided to appoint Border Police Commander Major General Kobi Shabtai as the next Commissioner-General of the Israel Police. The appointment requires government approval. Aharon from Beit Shemesh receives 6,400 shekels every month because of depression. Maybe you deserve it too?  Shabtai will replace Deputy Commissioner-General Motti Cohen, who served in the position for almost two years, after the retirement of Roni Alsheich and the prolonged delays in appointing a replacement, due to three election campaigns. Last week, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit sent a demand to Minister Ohana to present his candidate for the position of Commissioner by the end of this month. In addition, Ohana decided to appoint Gonder Kati Perry to the position of Commissioner of the Prison Service. Minister Ohana made his decision after meeting in recent months with all the commissioners serving in the Israel Police and with a number of retired commissioners, as well as all the commissioners serving in the Prison Service. In the past 24 hours, Minister Ohana held additional conversations with several candidates for the positions and in this round thanked them for their willingness to take on the position and for their dedicated service over the years for the security of the country. "The idea that underpinned my decision regarding the heads of the two organizations is that, on the one hand, I believe that the head needs to be in-depth familiar with the organization and have experience in various positions, and on the other hand, I believe that both organizations need refreshing and change. "Therefore, I did my best to select candidates who met both criteria," said Ohana. According to him, "After a long period in which I interviewed police officers, superintendents, and retired superintendents and seriously considered their suitability, I came to the conclusion that Superintendent Kobi Shabtai and Superintendent Kati Perry are the right people to head the Israel Police and the Prison Service Commission and lead them in the face of existing challenges and make the necessary changes to strengthen public trust in law enforcement systems." A statement issued by the Ministry of Public Security stated: "Superintendent Yaakov (Kobi) Shabtai is a moral, enterprising officer with extensive experience and decorated with medals. He led the force during the difficult and challenging period of the Intifada of Knives, during which Border Guard fighters stood at the forefront to protect the safety and security of Israeli citizens. Under his command, the Border Guard became the most sought-after force for service among young women. and young people in Israel, before all IDF units, and in an unprecedented manner. All of the above, combined with his vision for the Israel Police and his character traits, led me to the conclusion that he is the right person to lead the police and strengthen the public's trust in it." The statement also said: "Gonder Katy Perry is a groundbreaking, experienced, professional and ethical officer. Perry is a field worker who rose through the ranks of the Israel Prison Service in a long line of positions until she was appointed to the position of commander of the Southern District, which oversees nine prisons with thousands of inmates, many of whom are security prisoners, and under her command are approximately 2,500 male and female guards. Perry has impressive abilities and a unique perception of the organization and its impact on both the prisoner and society. All of this, together with her plans for the Israel Prison Service, convinced me that she is the right person to lead the organization into the future and enhance its strength." Minister Ohana added: "I would like to thank Superintendent Motti Cohen and Gundar Asher Vaknin, who have carried out their responsibilities as acting heads of organizations in the Israel Police and the Prison Service Commission over the past two years. I intend to work to ensure that both of them receive full recognition of the terms for the long period in which they served as district commanders. They deserve it." Chief Yaakov (Koby) Shabtai, 56, married and father of 3, enlisted in the Israel Police about 30 years ago as a fighter in the YAM after being discharged from the IDF as a company commander in the paratroopers. Since then, he has served in a wide variety of positions, including station commander and commander of two regions before being appointed to his final position as commander of the Border Guard. During his service, he was wounded several times during operational activities, after which he received the Medal of Excellence in 1995 and the Medal of Courage in 2004. Shabtai holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in education. Gonder Kati Perry, 56, married and mother of 3, enlisted in the IPS about 30 years ago and has since served in a wide range of positions in the organization, including intelligence officer, commander of a detention center, head of the prisoner department, head of the human resources director, deputy commander of the Central District and head of the Tafni't Directorate (High Court of Justice conditions). (the "Sustenance") before being appointed to the senior position of the Southern District Commander, and was the first woman in this operational area position. Perry holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Islamic and Middle Eastern studies, holds an additional master's degree in political science, and is also a graduate of the National Security College.