Turmoil in elite IPS unit: Officer warned of irregularities and was removed from his position
A senior officer in the Masada unit, with 17 years of service, has petitioned the State Comptroller for whistleblower status after reporting alleged procurement failures. He claims that following his report, he was targeted by commanders, transferred without consent, and subjected to a unit-wide boycott.
Turmoil has erupted within the elite IPS unit, Masada, as a senior officer has sent an unusual letter to the State Comptroller requesting to be recognized as a whistleblower. He alleges that after warning of failures in a procurement process regarding fighter training, he was targeted by his commanders and subsequently removed from his position.
The officer, who has served in Masada for 17 years and holds a position dealing with combat equipment development, claims through his attorney that he flagged serious deficiencies in a tender process. At the center of his claims is the selection of "TAAS College," which he asserts was approximately 44% more expensive than other competing institutions. The letter claims the selection process lacked transparency, and when the officer raised his reservations, he was told by commanders: "You don't touch this."
His attorney argues that these matters raise concerns regarding integrity within the IPS and has asked the State Comptroller to investigate the procurement process. Following his report, the officer claims he faced a hostile environment. He describes a meeting with the unit commander and his deputy where he felt threatened and received dismissive treatment. Subsequently, he was transferred to a new position without his consent, replaced by an individual he claims lacks relevant experience.
In an additional document, the officer details a campaign of isolation: "My private parking barrier was removed, and a collective boycott was organized. Whoever talks to me receives threats from the command. My long gun was taken without notice, and cameras outside my office were torn out. Even the unit commander ignores me." A meeting with the head of the IPS Operations Division resulted in the suggestion that he should be the one to leave the unit.
The officer is now demanding that the State Comptroller examine his claims and the connection between his warnings and the retaliatory steps taken against him. Additionally, he has filed an administrative petition against the Israel Prison Service to challenge his transfer.
Adv. Yaniv Lankri of "Lankri & Co." stated: "To my client's dismay, the IPS acted like a private business, choosing to punish him for raising a red flag regarding flaws in the tender. My client, who has served for over 20 years, acts only for the good of the organization." The IPS responded that the petition has not yet been received and that they will respond in the appropriate courts.
