§ 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.