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Crime Stoppers guarantees that callers never have to give their name or testify in court. When you call N.B. Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, our trained operators are interested in only the information you provide, not your identity. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and conversations are not taped or recorded - that's our promise!

The only person who can jeopardize revealing a caller's identity is the caller himself or herself.

 

What we mean by 'anonymous':

Anonymous means that your name is not known or made public.
We know that our guarantee to never ask for your name or record your call is vitally important to you. It makes it easier for you to come forward, breaking the silence around criminal activity and removing your fear.
  • You will never be asked for your name
  • Your call will not be recorded
  • Your call, text or online tip submission will not be traced
  • You will not have to make a statement to the police or other law enforcement agency
  • You will not appear in court 

We create a report from the information you give us. Our call handlers will check that this report contains no information that might identify you, e.g. if the call is about your neighbour we will not mention this. We don't even make a note of your gender.

If the identity of one of our callers was made known it would destroy trust in Crime Stoppers and no one would contact us. This is another reason why it is so important to us that we can guarantee your anonymity.



How anonymity is achieved

When a tipster calls the Crime Stoppers telephone line, they are first given a code number and they are prompted not to disclose their identity at any time. The tipster then uses that same code number for all subsequent communication with Crime Stoppers. The program does not subscribe to call display anywhere in North America and the identity of the caller, beyond gender, is never known. In the Crime Stoppers file that is created, the caller is referred to as "the tipster" and not "he or she" which would then disclose the gender of the tipster to the police investigator. Should the caller share information with the call taker that would compromise identity in any way, that information is removed from the file that goes to the police investigator. Information such as "I live close enough to see what's going on" or "the suspect uses my phone to call their drug clients" is all removed by re-writing the summary of information. Through this method of screening and sanitizing the tip information, the caller can never, even accidentally, be recognized or identified by the nature of content of the tip information. The tipster remains, in terms of identity, only a number. Investigators are reminded, in each and every case, that all references to Crime Stoppers, whether it be fax or routine correspondence, be removed from the operational police file upon the arrest of the suspect or the conclusion of the case. All information is computerized, securely protected by passwords, and secured in a locked office accessible only to Crime Stoppers personnel.



Important Tips for Callers:

  • DO NOT tell anyone that you have called Crime Stoppers. The only way to truly remain anonymous is if you do not tell anyone.
  • You will be issued a confidential code number. You must keep this number a secret to ensure anonymity; the number is your only means of identification if you qualify for a cash award.
  • Your code number should be treated like your PIN on your bank card. Keep your code number where no one else will find it.
  • If you chose to deal directly with the police regarding the case you called Crime Stoppers about, you are no longer a part of the Crime Stoppers program and cannot be eligible for awards (because you are no longer anonymous).


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Rt. Hon. Beverley McLachlin, P.C.
Rt. Hon. Beverley McLachlin, P.C.

The identity of people giving tips to Crime Stoppers has been protected by the Supreme Court of Canada. Canada's highest court ruled unanimously on February 16th, 1997 that police do not have to disclose any information they receive from this internationally recognized crime prevention program.

Madam Justice Beverley McLachlin, in writing the court's decision said protecting informants has always been a priority in law.

"The rule of informer privilege is of such fundamental importance to the workings of a criminal justice system it cannot be balanced against other interest relating to the administration of justice," McLachlin wrote. "Once the privilege has been established, neither the police nor the court possesses discretion to abridge it."

This ruling of the Supreme Court upheld a lower court's decision and ordered a new trial for a Vancouver man acquitted in a drug case. Richard Dean Leipert's lawyer successfully challenged a search warrant flowing from a Crime Stoppers' tip. Leipert had been charged with unlawfully trafficking in marijuana. During the trial Leipert's lawyer used the Charter of Rights to argue prosecutors should disclosed details of how police got a search warrant.

The Crown, seeking to protect the identity of a Crime Stoppers' informant, chose not to call evidence at the trail and Leipert was acquitted.

The Crown appealed with the Greater Vancouver Crime Stoppers Association intervening. The B.C. Court of appeal upheld the appeal and ordered a new trial.

The decision by the Supreme Court has confirmed a long standing position of Crime Stoppers that any details about the informant, or information received, however minute, could in fact jeopardize the informants anonymity, and as an end result destroy the integrity of the Crime Stoppers program."

 



A crime is committed and you know who is responsible - we're interested in receiving tips on any crime, whether featured or not.
If your tip leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash award. You will never have to give your name, or testify in court.
Text a tip anonymously: Text 'TIP212 followed by your information' to CRIMES (274637).
Learn More
Call N.B. Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) - Anonymity Guaranteed!

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end us your feedback: enquiry@solvecrimes.org
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Miramichi Crime Stoppers. All trademarks appearing on this site are the property of their respective owners, and are used with permission.
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