The purpose of this chapter is to adopt and
accept the applicability of § 18 of the Public Officers
Law of the State of New York to provide for the defense and indemnification
of officers and employees of the Village of Island Park with respect
to any civil action or proceeding, whether commenced in state or federal
court, arising out of any alleged act or omission occurring or allegedly
occurring while such officer and/or employee was acting within the
scope of his or her public employment or duties and in accordance
with the opinion of the Attorney General of the State of New York,
dated February 1, 1988, to provide for the defense and indemnification
of said officers and employees in the successful defense of criminal
actions for acts or omissions allegedly occurring while such officer
and/or employee was acting within the scope of his or her public employment
or duties.
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Island
Park, New York, does hereby accept and adopt the applicability of
the provisions of § 18 of the Public Officers Law of the
State of New York and to confer the benefits provided for thereunder
upon its officers and employees (as defined in said law) and to be
liable for the cost incurred thereunder and to confer similar benefits
and the reimbursement of defense costs and litigation expenses of
the officer and/or employee in a civil action or investigation of
his or her alleged acts or omissions occurring while acting within
the scope of his or her employment or duties.
The benefits provided for under this chapter
shall be secondary to any applicable insurance coverage available
to the officer or employee, whether under a policy of insurance procured
by the Village of Island Park or a policy of insurance procured by
the individual officer or employee.