Powers of the Ombudsman:
The law gives the ombudsman the authorities of a statutory investigative committee. The ombudsman is entitled to subpoena any person to testify, or any document he feels will contribute to the investigation. All police and prison service personnel are obligated by law to assist the Ombudsman in the execution of his duties, and failure to provide the required assistance or obstruction of the investigation constitutes a disciplinary violation. The law states that all final decisions of the ombudsman are conclusive and can not be appealed in court.
In regards to the findings, the law empowers the ombudsman, if a complaint was found justifiable, to submit a detailed report on the findings of the investigation indicating the deficiency or injustice and recommending methods of rectification and prevention of its recurrence.
Internal directives of the Commissioner of the Israel Police and the Commissioner of the Israel Prison Service state that all recommendations of the Ombudsman must be implemented by the respective organization within two months of receiving the recommendations. If no measures were taken to implement the recommendations, documented reasoning must be submitted to the Ombudsman, signed by the Commissioner of the Israel Police or the Commissioner of the Israel Prison Service.
In most cases, the recommendations are accepted by the respective organization and the proper measures are taken to correct the wrongdoing. Only a minimal amount of cases are not implemented. In cases which a complaint is lodged against one of the heads of the organizations an external authority is required to authorize the refusal to implement the recommendations. The intention is to come to a future agreement which empowers the Minister of Public Security in such cases.