Does the mere fact someone grabs you make it assault? I'm not familiar with these laws and I'm just curious. I used to work in retail about 20 years ago and we were told by our loss prevention officer who was an ex-cop never stop someone unless we were absolutely 100% sure they had taken something. We also had people that would come in and act like they were taking things just to get caught so they could sue.jordanmills wrote:Just keep walking. If they stand in your way, say "excuse me" and walk around. Walk through them if they make it necessary. I see no cause for any sort violent action at that point. Of course if they grab you, it changes from "a shoplifting accusation" to "assault and battery", and my behavior would change to meet the threat.RoyGBiv wrote:So.. what's the best was to deescalate a shoplifting accusation from a shopkeeper while carrying?..
I'm certainly not going to stand for anyone putting hands on me and no way am I "going to the security office" if I haven't stolen anything..
If a shopkeeper believed I had stolen something, I suppose I'd not complain too much about them searching my bag, if they were polite and professional about it. But being asked to search my person, especially when CHL... Recipe for a headache.
Any of you store security folks have a suggestion on how to handle this?
I suppose I'd refuse the body search and refuse the walk to the security office, but very politely offer to wait for an officer to show up as if it doesn't bother me. But no way am I going to be put in cuffs and/or "taken" anywhere without resisting.
Where's the line here?
How's best to deescalate?
The funniest thing happened. I worked in a computer store and our Mac towers kept disappearing. Well, we figured it out. A man and a large woman would come in and she would be wearing a housecoat type dress. While the man distracted the associates she would take the tower off the counter and put it on the floor. Then she would walk over the top of it and squat down and pick it up with her legs. Then she would waddle out of the store with it. This happened at least 3 times.
