Potential conflict of interest between official duties and private business should be eliminated by appointing authority
Informal opinion of the Attorney General 98-39
A part-time village police officer also conducted a towing business. When asked if the officer’s towing business could be included on the village police force’s list of towing companies, the Attorney General said it could be listed, “provided the village takes appropriate steps to eliminate any potential conflicts of interests.”
The Attorney General said that an appearance of impropriety would be created if the police officer’s towing service were called when that officer is at the scene of an accident. Further, a conflict of interest would arise if village police officers recommended their colleagues’ business to individuals in need of towing services rather than resort to the list.
NYPPL