Occupational Suitability for the Israel Police: The Security Officer Interview
Occupational Suitability for the Israel Police | Security Officer (KABAT) Interview | Legal Advice
What Is Occupational Suitability for the Police?
Occupational suitability (hatama ta’asukatit) is a screening process carried out by the Police Information Security Unit (Yahbam), which examines the integrity and values of police officers and of candidates for the Israel Police or the Border Police. The check is carried out on joining the organization, when moving between roles, on promotion, and at any other time the organization decides to call an officer for a repeat check. Its purpose is to assess suitability for service, reliability, honesty and integrity.
As part of the check, the officer or candidate must fill in a questionnaire, take part in a security officer interview (also called a “conflict of interest interview”) and, where necessary, undergo a polygraph test.
Recruitment to the police or continued employment depends on completing all stages of the check. Refusing the check, or any stage of it, directly affects continued employment or the recruitment process.
During their service, officers may have to undergo several occupational suitability checks, depending on the nature of their role.
The police occupational suitability check does not replace the security clearance process carried out by the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet). Sometimes the two processes follow one another. See our guide on security clearance in Israel.
Stages of the Check
- Questionnaire: the candidate fills in a comprehensive questionnaire.
- Computerized integrity test: a test with many specially designed questions from which the candidate’s lifestyle, worldview, values and risk factors can be learned. It takes about an hour to an hour and a half. Candidates entitled to extra time must bring a relevant diagnosis.
- Security officer interview: also called a “conflict of interest interview”. The security officer goes over the results of the computerized test and clarifies questions that raised sensitive or problematic points. He also asks about the candidate’s family, daily conduct, lifestyle, behavior in certain situations, and connections to risk factors or unlawful conduct. The interview lasts about 3 hours, and may take longer where a deeper examination is needed.
- Polygraph: in certain cases the candidate may be required to take a polygraph test. As a rule, it is reserved for special cases or for positions that require it, or where a concern or risk factor arose that needs to be examined.
This process takes place not only on joining but also when moving between roles, on promotion, or whenever a repeat check is considered necessary. A candidate for a position requiring a high security clearance will also undergo a security background investigation at a later stage.
Why the Check Matters
The process is designed to ensure that candidates for the Israel Police meet the high standards required for sensitive and responsible roles. A finding of occupational unsuitability ends the recruitment process and may even lead to transfer from a role or termination of service in the police or Border Police.
Legal Advice for Candidates Before the Process
Many candidates dream of serving in the police, go through all stages of screening and recruitment, invest time and effort in a long and exhausting process, and then “fall” at the last stage when they are found occupationally unsuitable because of risk factors that came up during the check. At best, this leaves a stain that prevents them from joining the police for several years. At worst, the information that came up may be passed to outside bodies or develop into a police investigation.
With legal advice in advance, a candidate can consider the right time to start the recruitment process (some risk factors fade over time), or whether to start it at all, given the likelihood that information may be passed on to outside bodies or to a police investigation, which could harm him not only in employment but also through disciplinary or criminal proceedings. See also: Israel Police recruitment appeals.
Legal Advice for Serving Officers Before a Repeat Check or a Clearance Upgrade
Many police and Border Police officers undergoing a repeat check, or a check to upgrade their clearance, are not fully aware of the stages of the process. After years in the organization they tend to underestimate its importance and its effect on their future in the police.
They also do not always understand the consequences of conduct at work that may indicate a deviation from the rules and lead to disciplinary action or service restrictions.
To avoid service restrictions and disciplinary proceedings, and to approach the check calmly, it is advisable to get legal advice aimed at protecting the officer in his role or bringing him safely and on time to his intended position.
Legal Representation with Adv. Emanuel Trach
With 15 years of experience in law, Adv. Emanuel Trach offers professional and personal representation to candidates and officers going through the police occupational suitability process.
About me
- Master of Laws (LL.M.): Tel Aviv University.
- Bachelor’s degree: Law and Business Administration, Reichman University.
- Experience: representing and advising candidates, police officers and Border Police officers in occupational suitability matters.
Services
- Legal advice: preparation for the integrity test and the interview.
- Representation: in cases of a negative finding or problems during the check, including appeals.
- Personal support: throughout the recruitment process and its challenges.
Contact
- Phone / WhatsApp: 055-255-0011
- Email: Emanuel@Trach-law.co.il
- Address: 94 Yigal Alon St., Alon Towers 2, 4th floor, Tel Aviv
Contact for
Legal advice without obligation