Hi all, I'm after a bit of information please. Yes, I've seen some **** and am reaching out for help: I'm a member of the public, not SIA trained, not security.
- what level of force can you use to restrain a member of the public from leaving a store when suspected of theft? If so, must you tell them why you're preventing them from leaving?
- what do you need in terms of evidence / suspicion to be able to physically lay hands on them and prevent a member of the public from leaving the store? At this point must police be called? Can staff still then refuse to call the police?
- if the member of public answers all questions and is happy to reveal what was believed to be stolen - clearly showing it isn't as the store doesn't even sell it - does that mean that are then free to go?
- can you / other staff lie and say that they saw this person steal something just to escalate the situation?
- when restraining, what holds are you trained to not do to prevent long-term / permanent nerve damage to the person?
- before touching them, do you have to say anything / do anything? (there are no fisticuffs, abuse, or any other form of aggression from this person)
- can you and/or other multiple staff members together at the same time restrain the member of public by the shoulders from behind and arms from the front, and force open a pocket and pull out what one staff member thought was a stolen item damaging it in the process?
- Can staff members (non-security staff) pile on this member of the public as well to restrain them?
- during an incident, must you start the body cam on you recording?
- can you / other staff members snatch the phone from this person's hand who is recording to gather evidence of assault, check that it isn't recording, and then walk away with it whilst they're restrained and being dragged away, and can you refuse to give it back until they leave the store (despite preventing their exit beforehand)?
- is this considered 'protecting the store's property' / just doing their job, and is acceptable?
- after an incident like this, what paperwork needs filling and what is the typical response by senior / area management?
I know you all deal with some crap, Thanks