I would probably agree with most of your statement. What makes this interesting is that it can happen to anyone (by mistake, after all L.P. agents are human). I think it is important to know the laws that govern this (or anything for that matter) because if at any time we feel that our civil rights are being violated, it is our privilege and duty to resist those violations. I’m not going to grant an officer permission to search my vehicle just because he asked to search it…if he had enough probable cause he would just search it and not need to ask. The same goes for an L.P. agent. If we simply give in and not hold people in these positions to the strictest of standards then right violations could become common place.Turfspanker wrote:This is an interesting thread.
I'm not sure how much clearer I can be in this thread. Perhaps I just don't communicate well in writing.
If a Loss Prevention Agent has solid reason to believe you have stolen merchandise, you will be detained and potentially handcuffed. Your belongings will be searched so the merchandise can be recovered. This can be done in the store or outside of the store.
If you resist you have escalated the situation and you will be taken to jail for resisting arrest. I don't know about you, but I don't want to lose my CHL for a charge of resisting arrest.
If the L.P. Agent makes a false arrest, they are in big trouble and they know it. Why would you want to risk the advantage you already have by escalating??? If you cooperate to the end, you are positioned for a civil suit in your favor. If you escalate, you will probably go to jail.
Loss Preventation Agents are ON OUR SIDE.
They put a huge number of bad guys in jail every day. They are admired by LEO's because they catch criminals in the act, many of whom have long rap sheets and warrants. LEO's love it because they turn over cut and dry arrests which bring up the Officers numbers.
When you see an LP Agent, shake their hand and thank them for their courage and service to the community. Thank them for solving Identity Fraud cases, busting Organized Crime rings, and keeping merchandise prices lower by recovering lost product margin on high end goods.
I doubt you will ever see one, but they see you and watch your every move while shopping.
Merry Christmas!
TS
I take my personal liberty and safety seriously and if I feel that if at anytime my rights are violated i.e. unlawfully detained or unlawful search and seizure, I am going to fight such atrocities. In short, complete cooperation is not neccessarily the answer in the face of outright violations of liberty.
EDIT: BTW...this is really the whole argurment for 2A rights. If the atrocities of right violations come to a point that the government can't help or that it is the governement agents themselves conducting such atrocities then it is time to take back our country...with arms if neccessary.
