Department for Investigation of Police Officers

Summary

Mahash (מח"ש) was established in 1992 under Police Ordinance (New Version) 5731-1971 ss. 49I–49K. It is an external criminal-investigations unit housed within the State Attorney's Office. Its ~85-person staff (investigators, intelligence officers, attorneys) is not drawn from active police. The head is appointed by a Civil Service Commission professional committee. Mahash investigates criminal allegations against police officers where the penalty exceeds one year, including UOF/OID cases, and can file indictments in Magistrates Courts. It does not have binding discipline authority — non-criminal discipline remains with the internal Police Disciplinary Court (Bidam). Statutory evidence access is broad for criminal investigations but there is no specific BWC-access statute; in practice, access is granted case-by-case. Staff are civilian attorneys and investigators, not sworn officers, but the statute does not mandate a civilian-majority composition by formula.