Badges - Re: Wal-Mart Security Employees Fired for Disarming Store Gunman
- From: C D Rowsell <cd2u@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <badges@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 9 May 2011 23:40:45 -0700
I want to know how you can retreat if the bad guy is charging you? If he is
trying to get out the same door your trying to retreat through, Houston,
there is a problem. Apparently, WalMart is not such a worker caring company
anymore?
CD
-----Original Message-----
From: badges-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:badges-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Michael Volling
Sent: Monday, May 09, 2011 9:20 PM
To: badges@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Badges - Re: Wal-Mart Security Employees Fired for Disarming Store
Gunman
Heaven forbid these guys be allowed to defend themselves and their
coworkers. Unless there is more to the story, I can't see how Wal-
mart can justify terminating them. This is what happens when
management enforces a zero tolerance policy and won't make exceptions.
On May 9, 2011, at 8:21 PM, CarlGlas@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> Four Wal-Mart employees have been fired after management said they
> violated company policy by disarming an alleged shoplifter who had
> pulled a gun inside the store.
>
> Lori Poulsen, Justin Richins, Shawn Ray and Gabriel Stewart were all
> longtime workers at Wal-Mart's Layton, Utah, store. Poulsen was an
> asset protection coordinator, Richins and Ray were asset protection
> associates, and Stewart was an assistant manager.
>
> On Jan. 13, employees allegedly witnessed a man identified as Trent
> Allen Longton take a netbook computer out of the package and stuff it
> under his shirt. When Longton attempted to leave the store, he was
> confronted by Poulsen, who escorted him to a nearby office. The two
> were joined there by Ray, Richins and Stewart, Salt Lake City's
> Deseret News reported.
>
> Inside the office, Longton allegedly pulled out a loaded handgun and
> ran toward the office door, which was blocked by Ray, Richins and
> Stewart. Longton then allegedly grabbed Stewart and shoved the gun
> into his back. Concerned for their safety, the workers reacted
> forcefully and disarmed Longton.
>
> In the police incident report, the investigating officer noted that
> the Wal-Mart employees acted in the "best interest and safety" of
> those around them. Longton, as it turned out, was a convicted felon
> who was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
>
> Wal-Mart managers, however, disagreed. The following week, the four
> workers were fired for violating the company's "Investigation and
> Detention of Shoplifters Policy." The policy instructs employees to
> retreat if an individual brandishes a weapon.
>
> "If during an approach or investigation, it becomes apparent that the
> suspect has a weapon or brandishes or threatens use of a weapon; all
> associates must disengage from the situation, withdraw to a safe
> position, and contact law enforcement," reads a copy of the policy
> available online. "If at any point the suspect or any other involved
> person becomes violent, disengage from the confrontation, withdraw to
> a safe position and contact law enforcement."
>
> The next paragraph instructs employees to "put people first," stating
> that protecting the physical well-being of "suspects, customers and
> Wal-Mart associates is your first priority."
>
> Speaking with the Deseret News last week, the dismissed employees
> said they had nowhere to go and were forced to subdue the suspect
> when he charged them. They also said they were not comfortable
> allowing an armed man into the store area where shoppers could be at
> risk.
>
> Sponsored Links
> Wal-Mart did not immediately respond to a request for comment today
> from AOL News.
>
> In a previously released statement obtained by The Deseret News,
> managers defended their actions, saying the four put their safety
> "and potentially the safety of our customers and other associates in
> jeopardy."
>
> Stewart, who had been with Wal-Mart for 12 years, told the newspaper
> he is still trying to understand the company's decision.
>
> "I honestly felt worse than when I had the gun to my back," he said.
> "I honestly felt betrayed."
>
>
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/15/wal-mart-security-employees-fired-for-disa
rming-store-gunman/
>
>
>
>
>
> The Badges Law Enforcement Discussion Group - Est. 1997
>
The Badges Law Enforcement Discussion Group - Est. 1997
The Badges Law Enforcement Discussion Group - Est. 1997
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