Whenever a member or officer of a municipal fire department or force is a defendant in any action or legal proceeding arising out of or incidental to the performance of his duties, the governing body of the municipality shall provide said member or officer with counsel and costs incidental to such representation for the defense of such action or proceeding, other than for his defense in a disciplinary proceeding instituted against him by the municipality or in a criminal proceeding instituted as a result of a complaint on behalf of the municipality. If any such disciplinary or criminal proceeding instituted by or on complaint of the municipality shall be dismissed or finally determined in favor of the member or officer, he shall be reimbursed for the expense of his defense.

The provisions of this section shall apply to members and officers of all municipal fire departments or forces whether said departments or forces be paid, part-paid, or volunteer.

L.1971, c. 197, s. 1, eff. July 1, 1971. Amended by L.1972, c. 165, s. 1; L.1975, c. 264, s. 1, eff. Dec. 19, 1975.