§ 50-n. Civil actions against peace officers, sheriffs, under-sheriffs
and deputy sheriffs of the county of Nassau. Notwithstanding the
provisions of any other law, code or charter, the county of Nassau shall
provide for the defense of any civil action or proceeding brought
against a duly appointed peace officer, sheriff, under-sheriff or deputy
sheriff of the county of Nassau and shall indemnify and save harmless
such peace officer, sheriff, under-sheriff or deputy sheriff from any
judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction whenever such action,
proceeding or judgment is for damages, including punitive or exemplary
damages, arising out of a negligent act or other tort of such peace
officer, sheriff, under-sheriff or deputy sheriff committed while in the
proper discharge of his duties and within the scope of his employment.
Such proper discharge and scope shall be determined by a majority vote
of a panel consisting of one member appointed by the Nassau county board
of supervisors, one member appointed by the Nassau county executive, and
the third member being either the Nassau county sheriff or in the case
of a probation officer the Nassau county director of probation.