§ 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.