§ 2-6-7. Authority to offer rewards; manner of determining validity of claims.

Whenever the mayor is of the opinion that the public good requires it, he or she is authorized to offer, by proclamation or in such other manner as he or she may, in his or her discretion, deem advisable upon recommendation of the director of police and approval of the city council, such reward as he or she may think the nature of the case requires, not exceeding $5,000.00 for information resulting in the apprehension, arrest and final conviction of any person, or persons, known or unknown, who has committed, within the municipality, any high and atrocious offense against the criminal laws of the state. No person shall be entitled to such reward unless the offender, or offenders, is apprehended within five years from the date of the proclamation, and before the prosecution of the offense is barred by lapse of time. In the event there is a disputed claim or there are two more persons who claim any interest in such reward, the mayor may, in his or her discretion, determine the respective proportionate interest, if any, of such claimant, or claimants, or the mayor may pay into the chancery court of Shelby County, Tennessee, such reward, which court shall then determine such claims and, upon payment by the mayor into the chancery court, the city shall have discharged its entire obligation to all claimants whomsoever, whether they be known or unknown. The comptroller of the city is authorized to make such payments as the mayor may direct in accordance with the terms hereof.

(Code 1967, § 2-49; Code 1985, § 2-62; Ord. No. 2040, 5-16-1967)