Corona Municipal Code Ch. 9.54 Rewards for Information Concerning Crimes

There have been and are a variety of crimes that are committed in the City or against City officials or employees where action must be taken to arrest the person(s) responsible in order to protect the public peace, health and safety. Apprehension of the person(s) responsible for such crimes and obtaining sufficient evidence to arrest and convict them requires the cooperation of knowledgeable witnesses. It is therefore in the best interest of the City and its residents, including the protection and safety of the persons and property within the City, that there be a program for offering and giving rewards to persons(s) who furnish information that results in the arrest and conviction of persons charged with committing such crimes.

(Ord. 3136 § 2 (part), 2013.)

The City Manager and Police Chief are hereby authorized to jointly offer rewards, in an amount up to $5,000 in total for each crime, for information provided to the City police department or prosecutors which results in the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for a crime committed in the City or against any City official or employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for homicides, sexual assaults or similar offenses against the person, the City Manager and Police Chief may, in their discretion, offer rewards in an amount up to $10,000 total for each crime. The reward offer shall include the amount of the reward, the person(s) eligible to receive the reward, the crime and any terms and conditions of the reward, in addition to those contained in this Chapter 9.54, that apply to the reward offer. The City Attorney shall review all reward offers prior to their release to the public.

(Ord. 3136 § 2 (part), 2013.)

Any person claiming a reward for information provided to the City police department or prosecutors which results in the arrest and conviction of a person or persons charged with a crime for which a reward was offered pursuant to § 9.54.020 must complete, execute under penalty of perjury and file a claim with the City police department before the City will consider whether to pay a reward to that person. The claim cannot be filed before the person charged with the crime is arrested. If more than one person is arrested for the crime, a separate claim form shall be filed for each defendant. The claim form shall be in a format approved by the Police Chief and City Attorney, but shall at a minimum include the following types of information: (1) name and address of claimant; (2) amount of claimed reward; (3) description of crime for which reward is sought; (4) general description of information provided and the date(s) on which the information was provided to the City police or prosecutors; (5) a statement that the claim is subject to the terms of this Chapter 9.54; (6) a statement that the claimant will fully cooperate with the City's police department and assigned county, state or federal prosecutors, including furnishing additional information and providing testimony before, during or after trial; (7) a statement recognizing that no reward may be paid if conviction occurs more than five years after the last date on which information is supplied by the claimant to the City police department or prosecutors; (8) a statement recognizing that the reward is limited to the total amount provided for in the offer of reward, that other persons may also claim entitlement to the reward, that the reward may be apportioned amongst such other claimants, that the reward may be apportioned amongst more than one defendant, and that in the event of a dispute the City Manager and Police Chief shall have the final and exclusive decision as provided for in § 9.54.070 below; (9) a statement that payment of any reward is conditioned upon the information provided resulting in a conviction against the person about whom the information was provided; and (10) a statement that no other offer or promise has been made to the claimant except as provided in the offer of reward and as limited by this Chapter 9.54.

(Ord. 3136 § 2 (part), 2013.)

Rewards offered pursuant to § 9.54.020 shall not be paid to a person who has filed a claim pursuant to § 9.54.030 until conviction of the person charged with the crime for which the reward was offered and claim was made. If the City Manager and Police Chief determine that a claimant is entitled to all or some portion of a reward, payment shall be made within six months of the conviction. No reward shall be paid if conviction occurs more than five years after the last date on which information is supplied by the claimant to the City police department or prosecutors.

(Ord. 3136 § 2 (part), 2013.)

The total revenue available for reward offers authorized by this Chapter 9.54 shall be allocated as part of the City's annual fiscal year budget.

(Ord. 3136 § 2 (part), 2013.)

City officials and City employees are not eligible to receive any rewards offered pursuant to this Chapter 9.54.

(Ord. 3136 § 2 (part), 2013.)

The City Manager and Police Chief shall retain the final and exclusive right to determine the accuracy of information provided on a claim form, who may be eligible for a reward under all conditions of this Chapter 9.54, whether a reward should be apportioned amongst more than one claimant and/or amongst more than one defendant, and whether the information that was furnished resulted in the arrest and conviction of a person charged with the crime.

(Ord. 3136 § 2 (part), 2013.)