Opn. No.

Requestor: David Avstreih, Esq., Corporation Counsel City of Mount Vernon City Hall Roosevelt Square Mount Vernon, New York 10550

Written by: Patrick Barnett-Mulligan, Assistant Attorney General

You have asked whether the City of Mount Vernon is obligated to defend and indemnify its city marshals.

Local governments are authorized to provide for the defense and indemnification of their officers and employees. They may utilize the procedure established by section 18 of the Public Officers Law or may provide for defense and indemnification through the enactment of a local law (Municipal Home Rule…