Section 71-2726. Payment of rewards for aid in apprehension and conviction of persons guilty of felony or misdemeanor

The commissioner is authorized to offer and pay rewards  of  not  more
  than  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  for information which leads to the
  detection, arrest and  conviction  of  a  person  guilty  of  felony  or
  misdemeanor pursuant to the provisions of this title; provided, however,
  that  no  police  officer,  as  that  term  is defined under subdivision
  thirty-four of  section  1.20  of  the  criminal  procedure  law,  peace
  officer,  as  that  term  is  defined  in  section  2.10 of the criminal
  procedure law, or  any  other  authorized  law  enforcement  officer  or
  official  shall  be  entitled,  directly  or  indirectly,  to collect or
  receive any such reward or part thereof.