Avenal Municipal Code Ch. 19 Rewards for Information Leading to Arrest and

CONVICTION Sections: 5-19.01 Purpose. 5-19.02 Offer of reward by resolution. 5-19.03 Filing claim. 5-19.04 Time of payment. 5-19.05 Anonymity of informant. 5-19.06 Decision by City Manager.

Title 5 PUBLIC WELFARE Avenal, California, Code of Ordinances Page 52 5-19.01 Purpose. The City Council finds that there have been and are a variety of crimes that are committed in the City of Avenal that are difficult to investigate and obtain sufficient evidence to apprehend and convict the responsible person without the cooperation of knowledgeable witnesses; that it would be in the best public interest for the protection and safety of persons and property within the City that there be a procedure for giving rewards to persons who furnish information that leads to the arrest and conviction of persons charged with crimes. (Ord. 97-04 (part), 1997) 5-19.02 Offer of reward by resolution. Specific authorization for offering a reward shall be by resolution of the City Council. Such resolution will incorporate by reference the provisions of this chapter, set forth the amount of reward, the crime to which it applies, and the terms and conditions in addition to those contained herein that will apply to a specific reward. (Ord. 97-04 (part), 1997) 5-19.03 Filing claim. Any person claiming a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a person charged with a crime, must, within ten (10) days of furnishing such information complete and file with the Police Department a "claim for reward." Such claim form shall be provided by the Police Department and shall be in the following form: CLAIM FOR REWARD I, ____________ (name), residing at ____________ (address), hereby claim reward in the amount of ____________ for information that I have voluntarily furnished to the Kings County Sheriff Department. This claim is made in accordance with Chapter 15, Title V of the Avenal Municipal Code and Resolution ____________ of the Avenal City Council, a copy of which I have received. I will cooperate with the Kings County Sheriff Department and the Kings County District Attorney to the extent of furnishing information and testifying at any hearing or trial. I recognize that the reward is limited to the amount set forth in the Resolution and that other persons may claim this reward. In the event there is any dispute as to my entitlement to receive the reward or the amount, I agree to having his claim determined by the City Manager as set forth in Avenal Municipal Code Section 5-19.06. I understand that payment of the reward is conditional upon the information/testimony that I furnished being of a type and nature that would, and did, lead to arrest and/or conviction of the defendant. There has been no other offer or promise to me except as contained in the described Resolution. Dated: date rule; Signed: ____________ (Ord. 97-04 (part), 1997)

Title 5 PUBLIC WELFARE Avenal, California, Code of Ordinances Page 53 5-19.04 Time of payment. Rewards as provided herein shall not be paid until a criminal case is closed by sentencing of the defendant. Rewards as provided herein shall not be paid upon judgment of acquittal of the defendant, dismissal of charges against the defendant, or upon the expiration of five (5) years from the date the information was furnished. (Ord. 97-04 (part), 1997) 5-19.05 Anonymity of informant. Upon request of the Sheriff of Kings County, and a finding by the City Council that it is in the best public interest, the name of the claimant for a reward may be deemed confidential information and kept anonymous. (Ord. 97-04 (part), 1997) 5-19.06 Decision by City Manager. The determination as to whether an individual(s) is qualified to receive a reward and the amount(s) and the persons who shall receive such a reward or proportion thereof, shall be subject to the sole discretion and approval of the City Manager after report and recommendation of the Sheriff of Kings County. The decision of the City Manager shall be final and without appeal to the City Council. (Ord. 97-04 (part), 1997)