N.Y. EXC Law § 53

§ 53. Functions and duties. The state inspector general shall have the\nfollowing duties and responsibilities:\n 1. receive and investigate complaints from any source, or upon his or\nher own initiative, concerning allegations of corruption, fraud,\ncriminal activity, conflicts of interest or abuse in any covered agency;\n 1-a. receive and investigate complaints from any source, or upon his\nor her own initiative, concerning allegations of corruption, fraud, use\nof excessive force, criminal activity, conflicts of interest or abuse by\nany police officer in a covered agency and promptly inform the division\nof criminal justice services, in the form and manner as prescribed by\nthe division, of such allegations and the progress of investigations\nrelated thereto unless special circumstances require confidentiality.\nNothing in this subdivision shall require the division of criminal\njustice services to participate in the investigation of such allegations\nor take action or prevent the division of criminal justice services from\ntaking action authorized pursuant to subdivision three of section eight\nhundred forty-five of this chapter in the time and manner determined by\nthe commissioner of the division of criminal justice services.\n 2. inform the heads of covered agencies of such allegations and the\nprogress of investigations related thereto, unless special circumstances\nrequire confidentiality;\n 3. determine with respect to such allegations whether disciplinary\naction, civil or criminal prosecution, or further investigation by an\nappropriate federal, state or local agency is warranted, and to assist\nin such investigations;\n 4. prepare and release to the public written reports of such\ninvestigations, as appropriate and to the extent permitted by law,\nsubject to redaction to protect the confidentiality of witnesses. The\nrelease of all or portions of such reports may be deferred to protect\nthe confidentiality of ongoing investigations;\n 5. review and examine periodically the policies and procedures of\ncovered agencies with regard to the prevention and detection of\ncorruption, fraud, criminal activity, conflicts of interest or abuse;\n 6. recommend remedial action to prevent or eliminate corruption,\nfraud, criminal activity, conflicts of interest or abuse in covered\nagencies;\n 7. establish programs for training state officers and employees\nregarding the prevention and elimination of corruption, fraud, criminal\nactivity, conflicts of interest or abuse in covered agencies.\n