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How to File a Complaint Against a Police Officer — Step by Step in Modi'in
Anyone who believes they were harmed by police conduct can file a complaint with MAHASH (Police Investigations Department) or the Public Complaints Commissioner — free, no lawyer required.
About Modi'in
Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, built as a planned mixed city, is a magnet for the second generation of Israeli-Ethiopians looking for a new urban environment. The city offers new, high-quality housing options alongside developed education and transportation infrastructure.
Two Complaint Bodies
MAHASH (Police Investigations Department) handles suspected criminal misconduct — assault, excessive force, bribery. It operates under Justice Ministry oversight.
The Public Complaints Commissioner is an independent external body for non-criminal misconduct — rudeness, poor judgment, delayed response.
Filing with both is often advisable.
Step-by-Step
Step 1 — Collect evidence. Officer name and badge number, exact date/time/location, witness names and phones, photos or video (legal in public spaces), any documents received, and a same-day medical record if you were injured.
Step 2 — File with MAHASH. Online at mahash.gov.il (fastest) or in person at a MAHASH office in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, or Be'er Sheva. Time limit: 30 days (extensions available with justification).
Step 3 — File with the Ombudsman. Online or by registered mail at ombudsman.gov.il. The Ombudsman must notify you of any decision and its reasoning.
Free support from TEBEKA. TEBEKA provides free complaint drafting, representation before MAHASH, and case monitoring. Call 1-800-20-20-16 or visit tebeka.org.il.
Realistic Outcomes
Most files are closed without action, but documented complaints build a record. Two incidents against the same officer can trigger internal affairs review. Criminal charges are rare but possible with strong evidence. Civil lawsuits are a parallel option for damages.
Ethiopian community in Modi'in
- Community population
- ~2,500
- Share of city
- ~2%
- Main neighbourhoods
- אנות, ענבל
- Community services
- ENP, מרכז קהילתי
More rights in Modi'in
This right in other cities
FAQ — Modi'in
- How many Ethiopian-Israelis live in Modi'in?
- The Ethiopian-Israeli community in Modi'in numbers approximately ~2,500 residents — around ~2% of the city's population. Main neighbourhoods: אנות, ענבל.
- How do I claim How to File a Complaint Against a Police Officer — Step by Step in Modi'in?
- Contact Tebeka — they operate nationally including in Modi'in. For support: ENP, מרכז קהילתי.
- What community support is available in Modi'in for this right?
- In Modi'in, the following organisations can assist with paperwork, translation and entitlement: ENP, מרכז קהילתי.
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