-cyjeff
The store greeters are not trained police officers. The primary source
of protection of Walmart property is by "inventory control personel"
who watch each customer through the camera's. They can detain a suspect
if they witness a theft occuring. The store greeters cannot.
-Eraupike
That's not even up for debate. You must have failed to read the next
sentence that said how the police officer agreed with me that
what he did was illegal.
Second point: I was within my rights and on the correct side
of the law. Even at Sam's Club where they make you sign a contract
that you give them permission for your person or car to be searched,
they can only contact police and cancel your membership. And yes
the police officer's job is to enforce the law which means he must
be aware of what it is. Walmart has already had 4 cases of this same
exact situation in court - and lost all of them.
third point: I researched to be absolutely certain what my rights where
to know if I was breaking the law or if he was. It turns out that he was
and had absolutely no authority to detain me, grab me, or take any
of my possessions. Knowing the law is not a crime.
fourth point: ..... okay... right...
five point: my second job when I turned 18 was working as a door
greeter at walmart and cart pusher.
That was a long time ago but even I had the common
sense to know that putting on their blue uniform isn't equal to
becoming an officer at the police academy. I was not rude to him, physically
touch him, or take anything away from him. It's his attitude that was the
problem.
Six point: It is not harrasment to ask to show my receipt. That is perfectly
okay. he can ask all he wants to. I politely said, "no thank you. This is
my receipt and I am not required to show it to anybody. Good bye."
It became harrasment when he turned the situation physical.
Seven point: Yes I do have to sign
a contract like at Stores such as Sam's Club to give that company the right
to search my persons, my car, or my possessions. As it is a privledge that
is only allowed by police officers who are given reasonable cause. Are you
not natively from this country?
Point Eight: Personel attacks really help prove your unsubstantial
comments.
Point 10: A citizen only has the ability to do a "citizens arrest" when
they have reasonable cause to believe that somebody or themselves are under
threat of bodily harm. Otherwise using physical force or threats is a felony
which is followed by a immediate arrest and very serious charges in court.
Point 11: This was an excellent comment to conclude your little ramble.
The store associate is not loss provention.
Loss provention has actual trained security officers sitting behind the camera's
and they do have the authority to detain a suspect if they witness a crime
taking place until the police can arrive.
----
You are guilty - thank you for the insight. I keep seeing this answer
pop up and so it is probably the most likely.... I wonder if a class
action lawsuit is possible because this is something that is occuring
frequently and started to get a lot of coverage.
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Eraupike - He is not a security guard!!!! Dear God, read before you post.
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dmcc10880 - Hmmm, I understand what you mean; however I feel the Judge
will agree with me that it is up to Loss Provention (the security guards
who actively monitor the video camera's) The fact that I was able to walk
through the store, grab two boxes, go through the check out line, and head
towards the exit without raising their suspicion - clears me of any reasonable
doubt of some old man who got his ego hurt when I refused his request.
Store Assocaites such as greeters are actually trained by Walmart to not
try and "apprehend" people. If a customer refuses and they are suspicious
then the assocaite must call the security guards for verification.
Not showing a receipt is not "probably cause". Being witnessed stealing
something on a security camera by a trained professional - is.
It also could have been over in 30 seconds if the store assocaite
did his job the way he was trained to do it.
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xylene - That's a good idea for a laugh. But I did it more because
I became irritated at how the major chain stores have begin to assume
they have certain authoritarian rights that have not been given to
them by our society.
They have become so accustomed to customers voluntarily acting
a certain way that they now believe it is required. A Mom and Pop
store would never become this dillusional.
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csi7 - I appreciate your insight. I'm not trying to be a
prick to anyone but really it is common sense that this sort of thing
wasn't okay. And I know I'm not the only person who has had this happen.
If all else fails I will go this route.
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Zigner - Refusal to show a receipt is not proper cause. I have already
covered this subject but only the security guards who monitor the camera's
can (after they witness a shoplifting take place) can make that call.
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