PURPOSE

Staff is requesting City Council approval of a resolution establishing a reward policy for information leading to the apprehension and/or conviction of persons guilty of criminal acts. 

BACKGROUND

In the past, the City Council has approved offering a monetary reward for information leading to the apprehension and/or conviction of persons guilty of committing high profile crimes within the City.  Offering these rewards often encourages reluctant witnesses to provide information to assist in the investigation.  Most recently, the City Council offered a $15,000 reward in the Sharon Santos murder investigation and a $50,000 reward in the Officer Matthew Pavelka murder investigation. 

Analysis

To facilitate the use of monetary rewards in high profile crime investigations in the future, staff is proposing a policy that will govern the use and administration of these rewards.  This policy will provide guidance to staff and the Council and ensure that each situation that warrants a reward is handled appropriately.  The provisions of the policy are set forth in the attached proposed resolution and are summarized as follows:

1. The City Manager may offer a reward up to $10,000 without Council approval. 

2. The City Council may approve a reward greater than $10,000 at a duly noticed meeting of the City Council.   

3. Should a tipster fail to continue to cooperate, the Chief of Police, in his or her sole discretion, may determine that the tipster is ineligible to receive the reward.  The Chief of Police may also apportion the reward money among more than one tipster as he or she deems appropriate based upon the importance of the information received. 

4. Payment of any reward is subject to joint approval of the Chief of Police and the City Manager. 

5. The identities of tipsters will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by law. 

Fiscal Impact

There is no fiscal impact associated with approving the proposed resolution and implementing the recommended policy.  In the future, funding for rewards will be addressed on a case by case basis, either through the use of funds already approved in the current fiscal year budget or through a budget appropriation requiring City Council approval. 

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the City Council approve the proposed resolution establishing a reward policy for information leading to the apprehension and/or conviction of persons guilty of criminal acts. 

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