Chapter 8 Preventing Losses from Criminal Actions

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Chapter 8Preventing Losses from Criminal Actions
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Criminal and Civil Offenses

• A crime is an offense against the state for which
  punishment is sought.
• A civil act is a tort which is an offense against
  an individual for which restitution is sought.

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Crimes Important to Private Security

• The crimes of most concern to private security
  are
• Larceny/theft.
• Burglary.
• Robbery.
• Trespassing.
• Vandalism.
• Assault.
• Arson.
• White collar crime--embezzlement, bad checks and
  credit card fraud.
• Drugs in the workplace.

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Reducing Risk of Larceny/Theft

• Limit access to assets.
• Use basic security equipment and procedures to
  deter employee pilferage as well as theft by
  nonemployees.

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Reduce Burglary Risk/Loss

• Install and use good locks, adequate indoor and
  outdoor lighting and an alarm system. Can be
  supplemented with security patrols.
• Keep valuables in a burglar-resistant safe or
  vault.
• Keep minimum amount of cash on hand.
• Leave cash registers open and empty at closing
  time.
• Be sure all security equipment is functional at
  closing time.

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Prevent Robbery Risk/Loss

• Train employees how to react if a robbery occurs.
• Do not build up cash. Use armed couriers to
  transport cash.
• Establish strict opening and closing procedures,
  and use extreme caution if someone seeks entrance
  to facility after hours.

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Employee Response to Robbery

• Stay calm.
• Do exactly as you are told.
• Assure robber you will cooperate totally, but do
  not volunteer to do anything.
• Treat any firearm displayed as though it is real
  and loaded.
• Activate alarms only if you can do so undetected.
• Try to alert others if possible.

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Theft, Burglary and Robbery The Differences

• Larceny/theft--unlawful taking of property of
  another without unlawful entrance or
  confrontation.
• Burglary--unlawful taking and unlawful entry.
• Robbery--includes unlawful taking and
  confrontation.

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Other Crime Risk Prevention Techniques

• Trespassing and vandalism can be prevented or
  reduced by strict access controls, security
  lighting, signs and patrols.
• Adequate lighting, patrols and communication
  systems are means to reduce risk of assaults.
  Escort services may also be used.

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Circumstances of Arson

• Fires that
• (1) have more than one point of origin.
• (2) deviate from normal burning patterns.
• (3) show evidence of trailers.
• (4) show evidence of having been accelerated.
• (5) indicate abnormal amount of air, fuel or heat
  present.
• (6) reveal evidence of incendiary igniters at
  point of origin.
• (7) produce odors or smoke of a color associated
  with substances not normally present at scene.

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Other Crime Types

• White-collar crime is business-related crime.
• Pilferage or internal theft is an important
  concern of private security managers.

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Common Drug Abuse in the Workplace

• Alcohol.
• Marijuana.
• Cocaine--snorted or smoked as freebase or crack.

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Enforcement of Rights

• Security managers may be called on to enforce the
  following rights
• Prevent trespassing.
• Control conduct of persons legally on premises.
• Defend self, others and property.
• Prevent commission of a crime.

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Expelling, Detaining and Arresting

• In many states, private security personnel can do
  the following
• Detain persons suspected of shoplifting.
• Make a citizens arrest of persons who commit a
  misdemeanor in their presence.
• Make a citizens arrest of persons who commit a
  felony if they have probable cause.

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Use of Force

• Force can be used only when and to the extent
  that is necessary.
• Deadly force can be used only to protect human
  life.

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Searching of Suspects

• Security officers usually have the authority to
  search a suspects person and anything the person
  is carrying if the officers have a legitimate
  reason for detaining or arresting the suspect.
• Any search must be conducted reasonably with the
  least possible use of force, intimidation or
  embarrassment.

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Interviewing and Interrogating

• Interview--A controlled conversation with
  witnesses to or victims of a crime.
• Interrogation--A controlled conversation with
  persons suspected of direct or indirect
  involvement in a crime.

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Effective Interviewing and Interrogating

• Prepare in advance.
• Obtain information as soon as possible.
• Use a private setting and eliminate physical
  barriers.
• Establish rapport.
• Encourage conversation.
• Ask simple questions one at a time.
• Listen and observe.

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Summary Questions

• How do criminal and civil offenses differ?
• What crimes are of major importance to private
  security?
• How can the risks of these crimes be reduced?
• Differentiate between theft, burglary and
  robbery.
• What circumstances can indicate arson?

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Summary Questions

• Define white-collar crime.
• Define pilferage.
• What drugs are commonly abused in the workplace?
• What rights can be enforced by private security
  officers?
• When and how can private security officers make
  an arrest?

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Summary Questions

• When is force or deadly force justified?
• When and how can searches of suspects be
  conducted?
• How does interviewing differ from interrogation?
• How can such questioning be made more effective?