R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1-3: Rewards offered by towns and cities.

Every town council of any town, or mayor of any city acting with the advice of the city council, may offer a suitable reward, not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) in any one case, for the detention, apprehension and conviction of any offender committing a high crime or misdemeanor within the limits of the town or city, to be paid by the town treasurer or city treasurer upon the order of the town council, or mayor and city council, out of any funds of the town or city not otherwise specifically appropriated.