NCJ Number
99353
Date Published
1984
Length
89 pages
Annotation
This manual for store owners/managers provides practical advice on spotting, watching, and apprehending shoplifters, as well as processing a shoplifter, preventing shoplifting, and testifying in shoplifting cases.
Abstract
Advice on spotting a shoplifter considers shoplifting behaviors, props, and ploys. Guidance on watching the shoplifter is intended either to force the suspect to leave ('dump') already concealed merchandise in the store, to prevent the suspect from having the opportunity to conceal the merchandise, or to initiate surveillance with the intent of apprehending the suspect. Managers are advised to have security personnel use a checklist before making an apprehension to ensure a solid case for prosecution and avoid the consequences of false arrest. Advice is also given on actions subsequent to apprehension (communications with and actions toward the suspect, processing evidence, photographing evidence, writing a shoplifter report, and deciding whether to prosecute), activities that compose a comprehensive security system, the physical design of various areas of the store to discourage shoplifting, employee training, and store procedures. A checklist of prevention measures is included. The manual provides a series of questions that should be answered by a prosecuting attorney in a store's jurisdiction before the store develops policies for dealing with shoplifters. Photographs are included.