These are minimum standards only and should not be interpreted as a prohibition against any Crime Stoppers program's self imposition of higher standards.

The terminology of the following guidelines might require adaptation or translation for use in various countries where Crime Stoppers International members reside.

1. The program should have a valid corporate charter, certificate of incorporation or similar document issued by governmental authority, and should operate in accordance with this document.

2. The program should be recognized as not-for-profit, charitable and tax exempt organization with ability to issue donation receipts for tax purposes.

3. The program should establish and follow official bylaws.

4. The program should establish and follow written Standard Operating Procedures and is encouraged to enter into written agreements with law enforcement and media agencies which reflect an understanding of procedures, duties and responsibilities.

5. The program's Board of Directors should not have voting members who are law enforcement officials, criminal justice officials or government officials.

6. The program should have a procedure whereby the Board of Directors or a Committee of the Board, can determine fair rewards and method of payment of these rewards that protects the anonymity of those providing information and receiving rewards.

7. The program should be paying rewards for information leading to a charge or indictment of a suspect with no requirement of conviction as a prerequisite for a payment.

8. The program should keep the maximum reward payment to $1,000 US Dollars, or $2,000 in Canada, and not advertise or be the agent to pay higher rewards.

9. The program should be a dues paying member in good standing of Crime Stoppers International.

10. The program should maintain statistical data as to the number of cases cleared, suspects charged, value of narcotics seized, value of stolen items recovered and amount of rewards payed. The data should be kept from the date of inception and reported at least quarterly to Crime Stoppers International.

11. The program should insure at least basic training of its coordinator and members of the Board of Directors through regional, national, or international training sessions or conferences. At least one board member and the coordinator should have attended a "Crime Stoppers Newcomers School" or similar session explaining the basics of operating a sound and legal Crime Stoppers Program.