[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the City of Rye 9-10-1997 by
L.L. No. 8-1997. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Charter — See Charter.
Code of ethics — See Ch. 15.
In 1981 the City Council of the City of Rye recognized the increasing
litigation exposure faced by public employees and officers and conferred the
defense and indemnification benefits contained in § 18 of the Public
Officers Law on Rye public officials and employees on August 19 of that year
by a unanimously adopted resolution. The City Council wishes to reaffirm and
codify that action and to provide additional indemnification and defense protection
pursuant to law.
The full benefits of § 18 of the Public Officers Law shall apply to public officials and employees of the City of Rye, and the City of Rye shall be held liable for the costs incurred under the provisions of that section, as well as the costs incurred under § 145-3 of this chapter.
The city will provide for the defense of any city officer or employee
in any civil action or proceeding arising out of any alleged act or omission
in which it is alleged that the officer or employee has violated the civil
rights of the claimant, petitioner or plaintiff under Section 1981 and 1983
of the United States Civil Rights Act. The city shall indemnify and save harmless
such officer or employee in the amount of any judgment or settlement of claim
obtained against such officer or employee, including punitive and exemplary
damages. Such legal defense and indemnification shall be provided where the
officer or employee at the time of such alleged act or omission was acting
in good faith and within the scope of his public employment, powers and duties.
The provisions of this section shall be in addition to any other statute,
local law or enactment providing legal defense and indemnification in civil
actions brought against such officer or employee.
