Procedures for a Non-Cooperative Suspect
1. If the suspect is violent when you approach him/her, never initiate physical contact with the suspect first. If the suspect becomes violent with you, use the necessary and reasonable amount of force for self-defense. The police should be called IMMEDIATELY. Do not use handcuffs or pepper spray on a suspect unless you have received the necessary certification.
2. If the suspect flees the scene, attempt to get a description of the vehicle and the license plate number and contact the police IMMEDIATELY.
3. Don’t detain the suspect for an unreasonable time period. After two hours you could have issues of false imprisonment. Two hours is usually considered reasonable. If the police don’t arrive at the scene in a reasonable amount of time, get positive identification from the suspect and give the information to the police. Inform the suspect that the police will be in contact with him/her.
If you mae an apprehension using the steps outlined in this and the previous two Shoplifting Investigations posts, you have a prosecutable case. The shoplifter will know this and will usually be cooperative. If you are not sure of ALL the points covered – DO NOT STOP, QUESTION, OR ACCUSE . . . there will be another time.
NEVER – NEVER – NEVER ALLOW OR AUTHORIZE THE POLICE TO CONDUCT A STRIP SEARCH on a suspected shoplifter on client’s premises. Inform the police that if they intend to conduct a strip search, they will need to take the shoplifter into custody and conduct the strip search at a location not associated with the client’s property.
1. Never detain a person because you once in the past thought he/she shoplifted.
2. A shoplifter must not be apprehended unless you personally see him/her shoplift and are certain an actual theft took place.
3. If while following a shoplifter, he/she becomes suspicious and disposes of the stolen merchandise, DO NOT APPREHEND.
4. If at any time you have the slightest doubt that all elements of a crime are present, or if there is a possiblity the stolen merchandise was disposed of, DO NOT APPREHEND.
5. NEVER ask a customer to assist in making an apprehension.
* * * The best rule to follow is – “if you did not see it, it did not happen” * * *
Please take time to review the previous two posts regarding Shoplifting Investigations.
www.securityreaction.com/loss-prevention/shoplifting-investigations/
www.securityreaction.com/loss-prevention/shoplifting-investigations-apprehension/
If you have anything further to add, please feel free to comment below. We would love to hear some stories of actual shoplifting apprehensions from true loss prevention specialists.
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