Command of elite police unit ‘failed,’ document shows

Lahav 433 unit, which fights corruption and organized crime, faced heavy criticism for poor relations with commanders.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
A report composed by the Public Security Ministry’s internal comptroller has leveled heavy criticism at the elite police Lahav 433 unit, Army Radio reported on Wednesday.
The 433 unit is tasked with smashing corruption and organized crime rights, and tackling complex white-collar crimes.
A source well acquainted with the issue has confirmed to The Jerusalem Post that the report was delivered recently to Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch.
“It was shown to the minister, who will in turn ask police to address the issue,” the official said.
Army Radio said the report was critical of the head of the police’s Intelligence and Investigations branch, Cmdr. Yoav Seglovitch, and recommended that the Lahav 433 unit be placed under the direct responsibility of the police chief.
Police declined to comment on the report.
The ministry’s comptroller, Yitzhak Segev, examined the Lahav 433 unit for a year, and concluded that poor relations between the unit’s previous head, Cmdr. Yoram Halevi, and Seglovitch had led to “failures at the command level.”
Segev also expressed dissatisfaction with the police’s late response to his report, saying it delayed the completion of his work, Army Radio said.
“The response that came from the Police Insp.-Gen. [David Cohen]... was personal and defensive, and did not address criticism of the unit,” Segev wrote in his report, according to Army Radio.