Police officer charged with sexual misconduct against two colleagues

Two female police officers were the subjects of separate allegations of sexual misconduct by a colleague, according to a new indictment filed this week.

The Justice Ministry’s Police Investigation Department announced on Monday that it charged Roni Oved, an officer from the Beit She’an station, with an indecent act and sexual harassment. The case was brought before the Nof Hagalil Magistrate’s Court. Prosecutors allege Oved drove his colleagues to isolated locations during work shifts and subjected them to repeated sexual comments.

The indictment details two distinct periods of alleged misconduct, spanning 2023 and 2025. In the most recent case, Oved served as a shift leader in April 2025. He and another officer conducted a joint overnight patrol. According to the court documents, Oved stopped their vehicle in a grove near Beit She’an and began making sexual comments about her body. The officer reportedly ignored the remarks.

The situation escalated when Oved drove to a nearby lookout point. He claimed to have studied massage and began massaging the officer’s back without her consent. The indictment states she froze in place. Oved later asked her to remove her uniform belt, a request she refused. Prosecutors say he continued to touch her hands and legs before touching her genital area over her clothing. She used her hands to shield herself from further contact.

Oved then drove to a second lookout point. He continued asking about her sex life and describing sexual acts. After they exited the vehicle, he allegedly pressed himself against her from behind, embraced her, and kissed her neck. She moved his hands away, returned to the patrol car, and asked him to drive back to the station. This count charges Oved with an indecent act without consent and sexual harassment.

The second count involves repeated incidents between August and October 2023. During shared patrols, Oved allegedly drove another officer to isolated areas. He asked detailed questions about her sexual preferences and habits while describing his own. The officer asked him to stop or declined to engage in the conversation. This count charges him with repeated acts of sexual harassment.

The charges emerge during a dispute over the independence of the Police Investigation Department, known by its Hebrew acronym Mahash. The body investigates suspected criminal offenses by police officers. In June, the Knesset passed legislation to remove the department from the State Attorney’s Office. The law establishes it as a separate body within the Justice Ministry with its own investigative and prosecutorial powers.

Supporters of the change, including Likud MK Moshe Saada, argue the existing arrangement creates a conflict of interest. They contend that the prosecution works closely with police on criminal cases while overseeing the body that investigates officers. Separation, they say, would strengthen accountability. Opponents warn the new structure could expose police investigations to political influence. State Attorney Amit Aisman has argued that tying appointments to political officials could undermine independent action in sensitive cases.

The High Court of Justice issued an interim order in September. The order froze specified provisions of the law, including its appointments arrangements, while petitions proceed. The court did not strike down the law or decide its constitutionality.