New York State Office of Special Investigation
OSI
Summary
The Office of Special Investigation (OSI), established April 2021 within the New York Attorney General's office under Executive Law §70-b, investigates and prosecutes all incidents in which a police officer or covered peace officer causes a person's death. OSI's criminal jurisdiction displaces and supersedes that of local district attorneys. The AG designates a Deputy AG for Special Investigation (exempt civil service, no fixed term) who heads the office. OSI has full subpoena authority, may compel witness attendance and testimony under oath, and must review audio and video recordings (including body-worn camera footage) as part of every investigation. OSI lacks discipline authority over officers — its role is criminal prosecution only. Annual public reports are required by statute.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Executive appointment |
|---|---|
| Term length | Not specified |
| Removal standard | At will (weak protection) |
| Budget independence | Executive discretion |
| Subpoena power | Yes |
| Compel testimony | Yes |
| Records access | Full access |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- New York Executive Law
- Citation
- N.Y. Exec. Law §70-b
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
All police officers and covered peace officers statewide whose acts or omissions caused a person's death