Policy
363
Riverside Police Department
Riverside PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/08/11, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Riverside Police Department Riverside Reward Program - 1
Riverside Reward Program
363.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Riverside Reward Program establishes a procedure for offering monetary rewards for information that leads to the identification and apprehension of any person whose willful misconduct results in injury or death to any person, or who willfully damages or destroys any property. Additionally, it creates a partnership between the community, police, and city government by which citizens can feel secure providing information on unsolved crimes and/or outstanding suspects.
A request for a reward offer may originate from a member of the public, City Council, or Police Department.
This policy outlines the procedure for submitting recommendations and offering rewards and payment to claimants
363.2 PROCEDURE
363.2.1 REQUESTS FOR A REWARD OFFER
All requests for an offer of a reward shall be submitted to the InvestigationsBureau (CIB) Lieutenant. The CIB Lieutenant shall consult with the case agent and forward a written recommendation to the Investigations Division Commander, who will forward the recommendation to the Chief of Police or designee. The Chief of Police or designee will review the internal recommendations and present a report with a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council will approve, deny, or modify the recommendation. In doing so, they should strongly consider the recommendation of all parties mentioned.
All requests for a reward offer shall not be eligible for consideration if, in the judgement of the Chief of Police, it is unnecessary and/or may jeopardize any ongoing investigation. 363.2.2 REWARD OFFER CLAIMS
(a) When information is received which may lead to a reward claim, the CIB Lieutenant shall:
1. Document the date the information is received and the name and address of the claimant until the case is adjudicated or otherwise completed. This is essential in establishing that the information was received during the 60-day period that the reward is valid.
2. Provide claimants with an Application for Special Reward Payment (Attachment 1).
3. Inform claimants that claims will be processed when the case is adjudicated or otherwise concluded. Note: Claimants requesting information concerning payment of the reward shall not be referred to the City Clerk's Office.
Riverside Police Department
Riverside PD Policy Manual
Riverside Reward Program
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/08/11, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Riverside Police Department Riverside Reward Program - 2
(b) When a case involving a City-offered reward has been adjudicated or otherwise completed, and a claim for the reward has been submitted, the CIB Lieutenant shall:
1. Complete a Reward Claim Checklist (Attachment 2) for each claimant. The Reward Claim Checklist gives the City Council information verified by the Chief of Police concerning the claimant's eligibility to receive payment of the reward.
If a claimant is ineligible to receive payment, the reason for the ineligibility shall be explained on the checklist.
2. If a claimant's identity cannot be revealed, enter "Anonymous" on the checklist.
If there are multiple claimants who choose to remain anonymous, identify claimants as "Claimant A, Claimant B," etc. However, if the claimant(s) remains anonymous, their true identity still must be confirmed and eligibility determined as outlined in this policy.
3. Upon the request of the City Council, the Chief of Police or designee may be required to provide insight relative to the amount of a reward that should be paid to a claimant (i.e.,: value of the claimant's contribution to the investigation, multiple claimants involved, etc.) or denial of payment. (c) Forward the completed Reward Claim Checklist and Application for Special Reward Payment forms to the Investigations Division Commander for review. (d) Ensure that a Reward Claim Checklist and an Application for Special Reward Payment are completed for each person submitting a claim.
(e) Contact the case agent and jointly review the completed Reward Claim Checklist to determine the level of contribution of each claimant to the investigation. Document a brief explanation regarding the level of contribution, i.e.,: "John Doe (or "Claimant A" if the claimant wishes to remain anonymous) provided information that led to the location and arrest of the suspect, and recovery of evidence linking the suspect to the crime." (f) Submit a memorandum supporting or opposing payment of the claim(s) to the Inestigations Division Commander. Completed forms shall be attached for each claimant. The memorandum shall include:
1. The name of the claimant (or Anonymous, Claimant A, B, etc.).
2. Whether the claimant is eligible or ineligible to receive the payment. If the claimant is ineligible to claim a reward, provide a brief explanation.
3. A brief explanation as to the value of the claimant's contribution to the investigation.
4. A recommendation as to whether the reward should be paid to the claimant (i.e., claimant's information was vital, helpful but not essential, of no value). In cases involving multiple claimants, include a statement as to which claimants should receive a part of the reward, briefly explain the assistance provided by Riverside Police Department
Riverside PD Policy Manual
Riverside Reward Program
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/08/11, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Riverside Police Department Riverside Reward Program - 3
each claimant, and indicate the recommended percentage of the reward each claimant should receive.
(g) Additionally, the CIB Lieutenant's responsibilities shall include:
1. Distributing and maintaining all correspondence associated with the program, i.e.,: letters to/from claimants, etc.
2. Coordinating with detectives and the case agent regarding the status of their investigations and if additional information is needed from callers.
3. Keeping all files associated with the Riverside Reward Program updated and accurate.
4. Maintaining all statistics for the program.
5. Preparing public service announcements (PSA) with the local media (TV, radio, newspapers). No PSA shall be distributed without prior approval from the case agent.
6. Ensuring that claimants are advised as to the status of their cases.
7. Coordinating payment of rewards to claimants.
363.2.3 DURATION OF REWARD
Offers of rewards approved by the City Council shall expire sixty (60) days after an approval date.
The City Council may renew the offer of reward by approving a new offer of reward for another 60-day time period
363.2.4 VERIFICATION / ELIGIBILITY
(a) Before a city-offered reward can be paid to a claimant, the CIB Lieutenant, via the Chief of Police, shall provide adequate verification to the City Council that the claimant is eligible to receive payment. A person shall be deemed ineligible for a reward if he or she is:
1. Employed by a law enforcement agency, or any other organization that compensates its employees for performing acts relating to the investigation of or reporting of crimes,
2. Acting as an agent for the suspect(s) and/or if the suspect(s) would benefit from the payment of the reward,
3. A public official,
4. Any relative of the above.
(b) Again, all requests for a reward offer shall not be eligible for consideration, if in the judgement of the Chief of Police, it is unnecessary and/or may jeopardize any ongoing investigation.
Riverside Police Department
Riverside PD Policy Manual
Riverside Reward Program
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/08/11, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Riverside Police Department Riverside Reward Program - 4
(c) Additionally, the claimant(s) must provide continual cooperation within the Criminal Justice System relative to the case for which the offer of reward is made, and if necessary, testify in court.
(d) Section 53069.7 of the California Government Code makes a distinction on the reward requirements between crimes committed against members of the public and crimes committed against a police officer. In a case involving the killing, assaulting with a deadly weapon, or inflicting serious bodily harm upon a police officer acting in the line of duty, the individual must provide information that leads to arrest and conviction. 363.2.5 CLAIM FORM