[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Bloomfield 3-9-1993 by L.L. No. 1-1993 (Ch. 9 of the 2016 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
EMPLOYEES
Includes any person holding a position by election, appointment or employment in the service of the Village, but it shall not include an independent contractor. The term "employee" shall include a former employee, his estate or judicially appointed personal representative.
VILLAGE
The Village of Bloomfield.
A. 
Upon compliance by the employee with the provisions of § 9-3 of this chapter, the Village shall provide for the defense of the employee in any civil action or proceeding in any state or federal court arising out of any alleged act or omission which occurred, or is alleged in the complaint to have occurred, while the employee was acting, or in good faith purporting to act, within the scope of his public employment or duties. Such defense shall not be provided where such civil action or proceeding is brought by or on behalf of the Village.
B. 
Subject to the conditions set forth in this chapter, the employee shall be represented by the Village Attorney, or an attorney employed or retained by the Village for the defense of the employee. The Village Board shall employ or retain an attorney for the defense of the employee whenever the Village does not have a Village Attorney, the Village Board determines based upon its investigation and review of facts and circumstances of the case that representation by the Village Attorney would be inappropriate or a court of competent jurisdiction determines that a conflict of interest exists and that the employee cannot be represented by the Village Attorney. Reasonable attorney's fees and litigation expenses shall be paid by the Village to such attorney employed or retained, from time to time, during the pendency of the civil action or proceeding, subject to certification by the Village Mayor that the employee is entitled to representation under the terms and conditions of this chapter. Payment of such fees and expenses shall be made in the same manner as payment of other claims and expenses of the Village. Any dispute with respect to representation of multiple employees by the Village Attorney or by an attorney employed or retained for such purposes or with respect to the amount of the fees or expenses shall be resolved by the court.
C. 
Where the employee delivers process and a request for a defense to the Village Attorney or the Village Mayor as required by § 9-3 of this chapter, the Village Attorney or the Mayor, as the case may be, shall take the necessary steps, including the retention of an attorney under the terms and conditions provided in Subsection B of this section, on behalf of the employee to avoid entry of a default judgment, pending resolution of any question relating to the obligation of the Village to provide a defense.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
The duties to defend provided in this chapter shall be contingent upon delivery to the Village Attorney or, if none, to the Village Mayor of the original or a copy of any summons, complaint, process, notice, demand or pleading within 10 days after he is served with such document and the full cooperation of the employee in the defense of such action or proceeding and defense of any action or proceeding against the Village based upon the same act or omission and in the prosecution of any appeal. Such delivery shall be deemed a request by the employee that the Village provide for his defense pursuant to this chapter, unless the employee shall state, in writing, that a defense is not requested.
A. 
The benefits of this chapter will inure only to the employees as defined herein and shall not enlarge or diminish the rights of any other party, nor shall any provision of this chapter be construed to affect, alter or repeal any provisions of the Workers' Compensation Law.
B. 
The benefits of this chapter shall be extended to an employee of a negotiating unit for which an agreement has been negotiated pursuant to Civil Service Law Article 14 only if such agreement expressly so provides.
A. 
The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to impair, alter, limit or modify the rights and obligations of any insurer under any policy of insurance.
B. 
As otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, the provisions of this chapter shall not be construed in any way to impair, alter, limit, modify, abrogate or restrict any immunity available to or conferred upon any unit, entity, officer or employee of the Village or any right to defense provided for any governmental officer or employee by, in accordance with, or by reason of, any other provisions of state or federal statutory or common law.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all actions and proceedings specified herein which have been commenced, instituted or brought on or after the effective date of this chapter.