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Q&A CRIME STOP
What is Crime Stop?
Crime Stop is anational contact centre staffed with well-trained investigative interviewers with at least basic detective training. They assist anonymous callers to provide usable information on criminals, their criminal actions and their whereabouts. This contact centre can be accessed through the 08600 10111 share-call telephone number. This contact centre is operational 24/7.
Is Crime Stop successful?
Via the 08600 10111 number, Crime Stop provides concerned citizens a platform to blow the whistle on criminal activities, anonymously, without the need to become involved in the sometimes demanding criminal justice proceedings.
Internationally Crime Stop is deemed to be one of the most successful “tip-off” services in the world and assisted in the solving of many thousands of unsolved crimes and the seizure of hundreds of millions rands’ worth of illegal drugs.
What is the difference between the Crime Stop 08600 10111 number and the Emergency number 10111?
If you experience an emergency and you require that police assistance be dispatched to you, the emergency number 10111 must be contacted. This number is free call when phoned from a land line, however, calls made from a cellular device are charged by the service provider. The 10111 contact centre resorts under the management of visible policing.
If you anonymously want to blow the whistle on criminals and their activities, the Crime Stop share call number must be contacted on 08600 10111. This will allow a caller to activate the vast investigative resources in the SAPS, provided the information is comprehensive enough allowing detectives to perform an investigation. The 08600 10111 contact centre resorts under the management of detective service and is staffed with members attached to Division Detective Service.
When I phone Crime Stop can I remain anonymous?
The anonymity of callers to Crime Stop is assured provided that callers do not compromise their own safety and share “informer codes” with any other person. Crime Stop do not use “number identification” technology and unless the caller introduce him or herself to the investigative interviewer, the person will remain unknown.
Many times callers prefer to be introduced with the detectives who will work on the information. This is encouraged, however when the person is introduced to the detective, Crime Stop will and can no longer protect the anonymity of the individual.
Does Crime Stop investigate the tips received?
Crime Stop is an investigation support mechanism who acts as an agent between informants and investigators. Staff at Crime Stop does not investigation the tips but ensure that it receives the attention it deserves on operational level. The agents will follow up on information provided until the investigation is finalised.
What if I do not want to remain anonymous?
If the caller does not want to remain anonymous, the investigative interviewer can still act as the mediator between the informant and the investigator. If the informant agrees to it, s/he will be “handed over” to the investigator who can register the person as an official informant.
If the SAPS issued a financial reward, how do I claim the reward and still remain anonymous?
Crime Stop may not reveal the identity of the caller to the investigator without the callers’ consent. If the person is handed over to the investigator, the investigator will process the information and the reward claim. If it is the wish of the informant to remain anonymous, the investigator must register the person and protect the identity of the person.
If the person refuse to work with the investigator, Crime Stop will act as an agent between the informant and the investigator and will also arrange with the informant how he or she would prefer to receive the reward.
What type of training are the staff at Crime Stop subjected to?
The motto at Crime Stop is to hire self-disciplined people with a healthy attitude and then equip them with the necessary skill to make a positive change in South Africa.
Only staff that passed the high standard psychometric and psychological test battery specifically developed for Crime Stop will be considered for the Crime Stop Investigative Interviewing training program.
During the three month intensive training program before a trainee is allowed “on the floor”, candidates will be exposed to different facets of detective related training, emotional intelligence, systems training, crime analytical software, voice modulation / articulation training, intensive roll plays and crime scene case study debriefing to mention a few.
What kind of information can I give to Crime Stop
Investigators can only present real evidence to court, therefore, information must preferably be based on facts of behaviour that is in conflict with the law or suspicion that is specific and can be verified.
Simplified, investigators are guided by the six “W’s” and the “H” when they follow up on information.
It is always very helpful if callers try to answer “Who did what to whom when where why and how” before they phone Crime Stop. If you are in doubt, phone Crime Stop, let the professionals decide whether the information is helpful or not.
Can I contact Crime Stop if I am overseas?
The 08600 10111 share call number is country specific and cannot be phoned from outside the borders of South Africa. If you are outside South Africa’s borders and want to share information on criminal activities, rather use the web based “Submit a Tip” function or forward your “tip-off” via the website www.crimeline.co.za
Unrealistic expectations from clients phoning Crime Stop
It is unfortunate, but this last topic is necessary. Although the staff at Crime Stop is well trained and very dedicated, they are not miracle workers. The process of true justice is unfortunately a slow and tedious process.
The proper investigation of crime takes time and everything must be done within the ambit of the law as all evidence will be tested in court. Unfortunately, Crime Stop do also receive false and malicious information and the focus must also be to protect innocent people as much as the focus is to bring people in conflict with the law to book.
It is simply not fair to expect feedback on information provided within a day after the information was give. As the South African Police Service (SAPS) is merely a link in the complete Criminal Justice System, many things can happen that the SAPS has no control over.
Crime Stop cannot be blamed if a suspect is released on bail as it is a conditional right enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa, nor can Crime Stop be blamed if a person is convicted and released with a suspended sentence. |