NCJ Number
59000
Journal
BRA (BROTTSFOREBUGGANDE RADET) - APROPA Issue: 4 Dated: (1978) Pages: 3-8
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
ROBBERY OF SWEDISH POST OFFICES (WHICH CARRY OUT SOME BANKING FUNCTIONS SUCH AS CASHING AND DEPOSITING CHECKS AS WELL AS POSTAL FUNCTIONS) CAN HAVE SIGNIFICANT PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS ON CLERKS.
Abstract
IN SUCH ROBBERIES, THE ROBBERS' INTENTIONS ARE TO FRIGHTEN THE CLERK INTO QUICK AND COMPLETE OBEDIENCE SO THAT THEY MAY OBTAIN THE MONEY AND LEAVE UNIDENTIFIED AND UNAPPREHENDED. TO THIS END, THEY OFTEN COVER THEIR FACES WITH STOCKINGS OR OTHER MATERIALS AND USE WEAPONS OR THREATS OF PHYSICAL HARM IN DEALING WITH CLERKS. CLERKS WHO HAVE BEEN THUS VICTIMIZED ARE LIKELY TO SUFFER PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS DURING AND FOR SOME TIME AFTER THE INCIDENT. ALTHOUGH MANY ROBBERS ENTER THE POST OFFICE AS OTHER CUSTOMERS DO, SOME LIE IN WAIT FOR THE CLERK OPENING THE BUILDING OR HIDE BEHIND SOME STRUCTURE TO WAIT OUT OFFICE HOURS. THESE SURPRISE ATTACKS AND THE USE OF DEADLY WEAPONS ARE THE MOST FRIGHTENING AND TRAUMATIZING TO THE VICTIMS. REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT POSTAL CLERKS, AS PART OF THEIR JOB TRAINING, ARE PREPARED FOR ROBBERY OCCURRENCES AND INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO BEHAVE, MANY CLERKS NEVER EXPECT TO EXPERIENCE ROBBERY. MANY REMAIN CALM ENOUGH TO CARRY OUT PRESCRIBED ACTIONS AFTER A ROBBERY INCIDENT, BUT FEW CAN COPE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OTHERS. COMMON AFTEREFFECTS ARE FEAR OR COMING TO WORK, DIFFICULTY WITH SLEEPING AND NIGHTMARES, ANXIETY, AND RELUCTANCE TO BE LEFT ALONE. VICTIMS ALSO ARE BADLY SHAKEN WHEN THEY MUST APPEAR AS TRIAL WITNESSES, RELATE THE DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT AGAIN, BE CROSS-EXAMINED, AND FACE THE OFFENDER, OR WHEN THEY MUST DESCRIBE THE INCIDENT TO THE POLICE AND ARE ANXIOUS TO RECALL THE HAPPENING CORRECTLY. THE MOST EFFECTIVE REMEDY IS MAKING CERTAIN THAT THE VICTIM HAS A SYMPATHETIC PERSON TO TALK TO ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND THE SUPPORT OF FELLOW WORKERS. --IN SWEDISH. (DAG)