The Ottawa Police Service has temporarily stopped using the Crime Stoppers reporting platform following a reported breach affecting the third-party system used by programs across Canada. OPS announced the precaution on October 23, 2026, while it reviews the incident.

Police say Crime Stoppers operates independently and its reporting platform is separate from OPS internal systems. The scope and impact of the incident remain under review.

Residents with information for investigators can leave a tip by calling 613-236-1222, extension 3000. Non-emergency incidents can be reported at 613-236-1222 or through eligible online reporting options. For an emergency, call 9-1-1.

OPS cautions that contacting police directly does not necessarily provide the same anonymity as Crime Stoppers. Questions about affected information and the breach response should go to the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association.

Source: Ottawa Police Service announcement, October 23, 2026.

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