NCJ Number
51287
Journal
Security World Volume: 15 Issue: 9 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 22,23,90,93-95
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
AN EX-FELON DETAILS A PHILOSOPHY OF EMPLOYEE THEFT PREVENTION CALLED 'PROTECTION THROUGH MISDIRECTION.' IT IS BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT TOUGH SECURITY MEASURES WILL FRIGHTEN BASICALLY HONEST EMPLOYEES, CUTTING LOSS.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM OUTLINED USES UNDERCOVER AGENTS, BROUGHT IN FOR THE PURPOSE OF BEING 'EXPOSED.' ARRESTS OF THIS AGENT SHOULD BE PUBLIC AND HUMILIATING. METAL DETECTORS ARE SUGGESTED FOR COMPANIES EXPERIENCING LARGE HANDTOOL LOSSES. AGENTS 'CAUGHT' BY THE DETECTORS CAN BE ARRESTED WITH GREAT FANFARE AND 'FIRED,' THUS EXPOSING BASICALLY HONEST EMPLOYEES TO THE COMPANY 'GET TOUGH' POLICY WITHOUT ACTUALLY INCURRING ILL WILL. ONCE SUCH A POLICY IS ESTABLISHED, IT IS UP TO THE COMPANY TO FOLLOW THROUGH. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT HONEST EMPLOYEES WILL START STEALING 'BECAUSE EVERYBODY DOES IT,' AND DISHONEST EMPLOYEES WILL THROW THE TOOLS OVER THE FENCE TO BE PICKED UP LATER. THIS CAN BE SOLVED BY A PATROL ALONG THE FENCE WITH A DETECTOR. SIMILAR TACTICS ARE SUGGESTED FOR COMPUTER CRIME--THE HIRING OF 'OUTSIDE EXPERTS' TO MAKE THE EMPLOYEES THINK THEY ARE BEING CHECKED. IT IS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE SECURITY FORCE BE POLICED. EMPLOYEE INCENTIVES FOR REPORTING THIEVERY ARE URGED, INCLUDING GETTING THE FIRED EMPLOYEE'S VACATION WITH PAY IF THE REPORT IS VERIFIED. LIE DETECTOR TESTS ARE SUGGESTED ALONG WITH A PLAN WHICH DISTRIBUTES MONEY SAVED FROM REDUCED THEFT AS AN EMPLOYEE BONUS. THE ARTICLE IS IN QUESTION-AND-ANSWER FORM.