N.Y. Executive Law § 53: Functions and duties

§ 53. Functions and duties. The state inspector general shall have the

following duties and responsibilities:

1. receive and investigate complaints from any source, or upon his or

her own initiative, concerning allegations of corruption, fraud,

criminal activity, conflicts of interest or abuse in any covered agency;

1-a. receive and investigate complaints from any source, or upon his

or her own initiative, concerning allegations of corruption, fraud, use

of excessive force, criminal activity, conflicts of interest or abuse by

any police officer in a covered agency and promptly inform the division

of criminal justice services, in the form and manner as prescribed by

the division, of such allegations and the progress of investigations

related thereto unless special circumstances require confidentiality.

Nothing in this subdivision shall require the division of criminal

justice services to participate in the investigation of such allegations

or take action or prevent the division of criminal justice services from

taking action authorized pursuant to subdivision three of section eight

hundred forty-five of this chapter in the time and manner determined by

the commissioner of the division of criminal justice services.

2. inform the heads of covered agencies of such allegations and the

progress of investigations related thereto, unless special circumstances

require confidentiality;

3. determine with respect to such allegations whether disciplinary

action, civil or criminal prosecution, or further investigation by an

appropriate federal, state or local agency is warranted, and to assist

in such investigations;

4. prepare and release to the public written reports of such

investigations, as appropriate and to the extent permitted by law,

subject to redaction to protect the confidentiality of witnesses. The

release of all or portions of such reports may be deferred to protect

the confidentiality of ongoing investigations;

5. review and examine periodically the policies and procedures of

covered agencies with regard to the prevention and detection of

corruption, fraud, criminal activity, conflicts of interest or abuse;

6. recommend remedial action to prevent or eliminate corruption,

fraud, criminal activity, conflicts of interest or abuse in covered

agencies;

7. establish programs for training state officers and employees

regarding the prevention and elimination of corruption, fraud, criminal

activity, conflicts of interest or abuse in covered agencies.