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.
Full story.
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.
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