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.
So we have four “security” employees. They are doing their job when they observe someone shoplifting a netbook computer by detaining him. Then the criminal — who turns out to be a convicted felon — pulls a gun.
What is the Wal-Mart policy?
…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.”
Ah I see. Be a coward. Be a victim. Retreat and be killed like a fish in a barrel. Because law enforcement is going to arrive within seconds, right? they will come to save the day (have we learned nothing about responding to active shooter situations?) Then when the scumbag decides to go shooting up other customers, just let more people die. Oh wait that’s right, Wal-Mart doesn’t care about anything other than potential lawsuits. Fan-fucking-tastic policy there, Wal-Mart.
But then you have to love the following part of the policy:
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.”
Well-being of the suspect? Sorry. If someone pulls a gun on me, the last thing I care about is their well-being.
If employees are to “put people first” and protect the well-being of their customers, then I’d say these 4 (former) employees did exactly that. They went above and beyond to protect not just themselves, but all of the customers in that Layton, Utah Wal-Mart. I’m not saying Wal-Mart policy should force employees into harms way, but these 4 people prevented what could have been a far greater tragedy, and the thanks they get is a trip to the unemployment line.
So tell me, Wal-Mart corporate management? Would you rather have to be cleaning up blood? Would you rather have a store closure while the police clean up after a mass murder at your store? Is that good for business? Do you want the lawsuits from all the families of the slain customers?
A statement from the management said:
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.”
As if some loony with a gun was so much safer.
I want to end with some sort of snarky comment, but I can’t think of one… I’m just too disgusted.
Stuff From Hsoi 
WalMart – Lowering standards every day.
How absolutely crazy! I would have TASED the guy! How do they expect regular people protect themselves an not be punished for it? How about legal non-lethal weapons? ie. Tasers, stun guns & pepper sprays for those that are physically or mentally unable to protect themselves with self defense fighting techniques?
And when I say mentally unable, it takes a state of mind to be prepared to defend yourself physically especially when guns are involved.
I’d imagine this is Corporate Policy in virtually any large company. Your life, even though you’re spending it as a Walmart employee, is much more valuable (even to Walmart) than a fucking computer. A determined shoplifter could walk out the door with hundreds of bucks worth of merchandise. An employee with a bullet in his gut is going to cost Walmart One Million Dollars.
The $12/hour guy with “Security” velcroed onto his blue vest is not the guy you want to be betting your personal protection on. He absolutely shouldn’t be put into a position where he thinks it is his job to take a bullet for a piece of merchandise. Walmart probably pays millions per year in insurance to cover shoplifting losses.
(Look at you jerks… Making me stand up for Walmart… Bastards.)
Oh I’m sure that’s Wal-Mart’s take on things. But I do find something wrong with the concept, as I know you do too.
If I was The Boss I wouldn’t have fired the guys. However I would make it absolutely clear that you, my employee, should NEVER take a bullet for the till. Walmart has that part right. *shudder*. There you go again.
I would agree… the till isn’t worth dying over so no, don’t be a hero.
But it sounds like this guy was headed out to the main part of the store and they expected the worst… they expected lives to be in danger, so they took action. I can’t necessarily fault them with the reaction they had; in fact, I’d praise the reaction they had.