Title: Shoplifting Detention - How Retail Stores Detain a Suspected Shoplifter?
Headings: Shoplifting Detention – How Retail Stores Detain a Suspected Shoplifter?
Shoplifting Detention – How Retail Stores Detain a Suspected Shoplifter?
Shoplifting Detention
Shoplifting Detention: The Policy Decision
Shoplifting Detention: Approaching the Suspect
Shoplifting Detention: The Stop
Shoplifting Detention: The Use of force
Shoplifting Detention: Processing the Shoplifter
Shoplifting Detention: Written Incident Reports
About Chris McGoey

Content: A good rule is to outnumber the suspected shoplifter by a least one. Alert personnel usually prevent the suspect from fighting or attempting to flee. A female back-up is best if a female suspect is being detained. The approach should always occur from the front, if possible. The store representative should immediately and clearly identify themselves and it is helpful to have some form of identification such as a uniform, or name tag to avoid confusion over who you are or what authority you possess. Plain-clothes loss prevention agents should have an authentic-looking ID card or badge in a wallet to present during the confrontation so as not to be confused with a mugger. The presentation of credentials should occur simultaneously with the words “I’m with ACME Stores, and I would like to talk with you about the ‘two bottles of ACME wine’ in your bag.” You should listen for spontaneous utterances like, “Oh, I forgot to pay for it” to help prove culpability while still outside of the store. The shoplifter should also be asked to return the items while still outside the store, if possible, to further validate the suspicion of theft before return to the store interior. Shoplifting Detention: