17 Austria The Austrian National Ombudsman Board (AOB) is competent to deal with complaints against the police. It has three members who are elected for a term of six years by the Austrian The Special Investigation Service (SIS) is a separate internal agency specialising in preliminary investigation of cases involving suspected criminal abuses by public officials. agencies or their officials for assistance. The agency or official whose actions/decisions are disputed cannot undertake this. AOB monitors all authorities, administrative bodies and departments of the state, the provinces and local government In 2016 The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) recommended that an independent mechanism be set up to deal with all types of complaints against the police. The Special Investigation Service is described as an independent state body which exercises its powers independently. It examines the exercise by the administration of direct authority and the use of force, particularly during deportations and demonstrations. The SIS has a section dedicated to the investigation of torture and crimes against the person. Only deals with cases that amount to breaches of the criminal code with regard to the preliminary investigation phase. Cases under investigation by other bodies may be transferred to SIS by the Prosecutor General. During the examination of a complaint, the HRD has access to all state institutions and organizations and may require from them any information or documentation related to the complaint. commit violations. Such recommendations are not legally binding upon the authorities. AOB is legally mandated as regards its internal structure and functioning. AOB monitors all institutions in which liberty is being or may be deprived or clarification during the investigation of complaints.