Welcome. My name is Jack Steele. In 2001, at great personal risk, I helped the FBI and Canadian police arrest a killer–one of the most wanted men in the world.

I helped because it was the right thing to do. But I also did it for the money—a promised $1 million reward.

After the murderer’s arrest and conviction, the FBI paid me their share of the reward, just like they said they would. But the Canadian police groups that had promised a $547,000 reward back when they needed my help have now turned their backs on me. They won’t pay me a dime.

The lesson? When you’re dealing with Canadian police, a promise made is not a promise kept.

I created this website as a resource–and a warning–for other tipsters who may be considering helping Canadian police groups in exchange for a reward.

kopp 

Tipsters, Beware!
The police will try to dazzle you with promises of rich rewards. But unless you demand written assurances up front, and treat the relationship like a cold-blooded lawyer negotiating a business deal, you could end up risking your life for nothing.

So think twice before cooperating in Canada.

If you already are a tipster in a criminal case, or are contemplating helping the police in Canada to crack a case, I want to hear from you. CLICK HERE TO EMAIL US your story, and I will treat your information confidentially. Or CLICK HERE TO LEAVE A COMMENT on the open blog, so everyone can read more.

I have been collecting other examples of tipsters who have been deceived by the police in Canada, and will turn over my findings to the media and Canadian lawmakers. I want to ensure that anyone who puts their life on the line in a criminal case in Canada, and lives up to the terms of a reward offer, gets the money that he or she deserves.


My Story
Jack Steele is not my real name. I can no longer use my real identity, or reveal my whereabouts, because I helped infiltrate a dangerous group of anti-abortion radicals who still might try to harm me.

 In 1999, at the FBI’s urging, I penetrated an extremist anti-abortion organization that was operating in Canada and the U.S., shooting doctors who performed legal abortions in both countries. After almost two years undercover, I was able to learn the secret address in France where the group’s triggerman, James Kopp, was hiding. I gave the address to my FBI handler, and Kopp was arrested days later.

Together, the FBI and a group of Canadian police organizations were offering more than $1 million in reward money for information leading to Kopp’s arrest and conviction. Here’s the Canadian Wanted Poster for Kopp, announcing a $547,000 reward.

After Kopp’s conviction, the FBI determined that I deserved the reward money, and the FBI paid me its share. But today, eight years after Kopp’s arrest and nearly three years after his federal conviction, the Canadian police groups refuse to pay up.

My story is just one example of what really happens to tipsters in the Canadian justice system, after the arrest is made and the newspaper headlines fade. Don’t make the same mistakes I made. READ MORE.

 

canadianpolice

32 Responses to “Considering Helping Canadian Police For A Reward?”

  1. Diane Goldberg Says:

    I think the Canadian Police Department treated you very unfairly. I think they had no intentions of paying you from the beginning, to string you along for such a long time was unprofessional and shady. Informants should think twice before helping them.

  2. Jim Popkin Says:

    Jack,

    Good luck with the new website. The Canadian police groups that needed you so badly when murderer James Kopp was on the loose have now deserted you. I hope your website will educate other tipsters, and help reform a badly broken system.

    –Jim

  3. Suzanne Says:

    After reading this article, I think it was very unfair for the Canadian police to not deliver what they promised. I would think twice before helping them out, they say one thing and do something else. Good luck with your chase.

  4. gabrielle Says:

    canada is as responsible with award as was united states canadian police should honor the reward cause it was a contract. any tipsters should be aware what happened to mr jack get it in writing or attorney before helping canadian police. it makes me angry knowing that 1 day ill need police for solving a crime and no one would give information cause the police what it promises wont deliver. therefore ill think twice before giving police any leads , info, or anything else unless is in writing.

  5. charlene Says:

    jack dont give up the quest i read other articles in usa and canada you should be collecting the money from canadian police. it was a hush hush deal in canada about the reward media is the proper way for public to learn what goes on. media should question canadas police requesting to open all books or documents why they didnt pay jack the money is this dmocracy or state run country where public is in dark. shame on canada. one more observation canada put out the reward was made public pay up or no tipsters ever give any information to canadian government. shame shame shame

  6. frank former po Says:

    just to add few words reference this unfair unjust treatment by canada to a individual who went beyond his duty and took a risk put his family in danger.

  7. klaus Says:

    reading the news realese i feel that canada gave jack the run around promises after promises. jack hang in there hopefully the masses will read this and mr burchill will hear from them. canada pay up jack helped and is sole responible for getting usa reward money canada what does it say about your word hope in the futyure no 1 will help canada by giving any information or tips.

  8. Ed Says:

    After reading the PR Newswire my understanding is that Jack worked for combined police agencies in both the US and Canada to capture a fugitive. He was captured and convicted. Who cares where? The American government paid the reward. Therefore Canada should honor their reward as well.

  9. James Says:

    I think the Canadian police should pay what they promised! I would think twice before helping them if they are going to make promises they can’t keep. Good luck with your case and I hope you get the money you deserve and were promsied one day…

  10. jaqueline Says:

    not fair at all, to the tipster. the tipster should have been paid by canadian police as promised in the reward poster. i will forward a e mail to sgt burchill stating the injustice unfairness to the brave sole who spend years to catch a murderer.

  11. Jean Says:

    I think it is unfair how you were treated by the Canadian Task Force. They should pay you since they posted the reward money for $547,000. A comment will be sent to Sgt. Burchill.

  12. claire Says:

    hi am i the only 1 who is angry,upset with killing doctors,maiming and instilling fears into our lives. i couldnt help it after reading the web, i must agree with the tipster not to give any information to canadian police force. if you any tipster allows the police of canada to treat the informants same way get out get a lawyer get it in writing but never never take the police for their word enough said. sgt burchill and the committe should review their decision.

  13. Melanie Says:

    Shame on them. How can they legally do something like this? The reward poster never stated that the person responsible for the crimes must be convicted in the Canada Courts.
    Does the Canadian government know whats going on the Winnipeg?

  14. janet Says:

    reading the provided information on this matter. every pro choice person should be outraged, angry, mad as hell . all of us should contribute to this matter jack has to be compensated by canadian police he has done gone beyond his duty as a citizen of america. canadian police shame on the our neighbor fighting same cause. 1 country pays another refuses something is wrong with this. common sense is nonger applicable here. comon canada get your thinking caps. pay this man for he have saved many doctors lives.

  15. kootcoot Says:

    Jack – have you considered joining a biker gang? Apparently the police pay their biker helpmates regularly, lots and on time. Perhaps it is fear of reprisals……….?

  16. ernie Says:

    i think you are just looking for more money. if you had helped convict the guy in Canada then they would have paid you, but the Canadian government still has the guy’s warrant for his arrest. weren’t you approached by the FBI? the Canadian government should pay rewards but that is only if the suspect is in their custody. you should really get the Canadian government to take action and convict this guy in Canada as well, there is no reason why they shouldn’t.

  17. Callow Hal Says:

    The Canadian Police are costing themselves more money by not paying the reward than if they paid it. As mentioned before, people will be less likely to take the risks invloved with being an informant, thereby leaving more time and effort required by the Canadian Police to find suspects. The public also suffers as criminals are able to continue roaming the streets for longer periods of time. All in all, the reward was offered, it is in everyone’s best interest to be honored.

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  21. Tanya Says:

    I congratulate you for your efforts, but have to say I am saddened by your monetary motivation to helping the police. It’s quite sad in fact that you are attempting to sway potential good citizens from reporting crime in Canada based on your experiences on not “getting paid”.

    As a Canadian I would expect Canadian police to stipulate that any reward / payment would be made as per substantial results in a Canadian court system. Why would Canadian tax payers fund payment to anyone for convictions out side Canada? In fact considering the amount of money being involved with here I would think that any Canadian police force would in fact have a contract in place with you before any action was taken on your part on behalf of them. In this case I believe it would have been negligent for the police to pay you more the half a million dollars for not providing any results in Canada.

    I believe it is a good citizens responsibility to report crime, if you want to be an agent for the police then make sure you have a (written) agreement in place if you want to get paid just like any other job. Then prepare to pay income tax on the money you made.

  22. armstrong213 Says:

    As a Canadian I would expect Canadian police to stipulate that any reward / payment would be made as per substantial results in a Canadian court system. Why would Canadian tax payers fund payment to anyone for convictions out side Canada? In fact considering the amount of money being involved with here I would think that any Canadian police force would in fact have a contract in place with you before any action was taken on your part on behalf of them. In this case I believe it would have been negligent for the police to pay you more the half a million dollars for not providing any results in Canada.
    +1

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  32. common sense Says:

    First off it would be common sense that Kopp would have to be convicted on Canadian ground for you to obtain the reward. YOU risked your time, your job and your life to help catch this convict. You cannot say that it wasn’t for money. Clearly it was. Probably figured because you had a connection you could get rich fast. You clearly don’t understand our laws and the way things work up here. Should have done your research before embarking on this decade long journey. No country would pay someone who wasn’t a citizen of their own a hefty reward fee without having the convict on their soil, let alone Canada. I wonder if the roles were reversed how your tax payers would feel about paying a Canadian half a million dollars and them not having the prisioner on their soil. Stop wasting your time and get a job. Just because you didn’t learn and read about the fine print shouldn’t give you the right to turn around and basically give a big eff you to the way we do things up here. Again COMMON SENSE!!! And ALWAYS read the fine print…

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