Stop by store manager

[LP9999]

My SM tried to make an apprehension on Fri. (I was off) First of all, she's not certified by my retailer and second she did not have all the steps (which she would have known had she been certified).
Here's my understanding of the situation as told by my SM:

Female had several pieces of jewelry believed to be concealed in her handbag (I'm not sure who saw her conceal). The female paid for other items then headed to the front door. The SM stopped her and asked her where the jewelry was. The female stated she put them down and SM asked the woman to show her where. The jewelry was right where she said they were; beside the register on a shelf. No one saw her put them there, apparently. The female then left. The jewelry that was left on the shelf all had defeated EAS tags. (I won't tell how because of the lurkers we have on this site.)
No one said they saw her defeat the tags, it's just believed she's the one that did it. The SM also said that she thinks the female still got out with concealed merchandise.

Here's a few more details:
#1 I watch this particular female everytime she comes in (she's a regular). There is some suspicious behavior, but I haven't seen her do anything unlawful.
#2 She's wheelchair bound. (I'm thinking this could possibly be used against the store--profiling?)
#3 My SM and I don't have the best relationship because everytime I call my RLPM (who is my direct supervisor) about something going on in the store, she gets really pissed @ me (ok, so I'm a tattler). Not that I care, it's just makes it harder to work with her. (I don't trust her and neither does my RLPM).
#4 I called my RLPM about it and he was not happy.

Good grief, the crap is gonna hit the fan!!

[NRM_Oz]

Oh boy ...................... this is an issue that is going to come to light in many other retailers who want to play GOD. Some of my past clients were small 2 or 3 shop companies who had no LP training so I put them through a basic awareness progress to teach them about customer service and high profiling, etc and merchandising and it worked but this is a major issue for a false stop.

I had a similar issue with 1 employer and an acting SM who against the law permitted a customer to purchase 2 bottles of champagne outside the licenced area (store had been closed some time). I was told about it and stopped the purchase to be told "I am overuling you as ASM" when I fired bacK "I am the liquour licencee and I overule YOU". I escorted the customer back to the liquor department to explain the need to make payment here. As I thanked her, 2 men in suits approached me flashed badges and stated they had cautioned the ASM for her ignorance on the liquor laws.

I would quietly have a word to your LPM or district and explain the situation and if you attend meetings with departments managers I would remind them of their obligations to NOT do this again.

[LP9999]

Oh boy ......................
I would quietly have a word to your LPM or district and explain the situation and if you attend meetings with departments managers I would remind them of their obligations to NOT do this again.

Thanks. As I stated previously, I called my RLPM and he was not happy. He told me to have her call him and she's to give him the story. I also intend to have a chat with the other managers at the managers meeting on Monday about this issue.

[NRM_Oz]

I once had an Dept. Mgr demand I arrest someone for theft and I said I can't since I did not see what had happened. He made a complaint about me so I fronted up and informed himself and the SM that I was not legally permitted to but had high profiled the customer to encourage dumping the items if he had taken anything (just a browsing customer). These people let power go to their heads far too often.

[LP9999]

How's the saying go?
If I didn't see it, it didn't happen.

On a side note, I love the enthusiasim (spell?) the associates & managers have about stopping theft. However, they all need to learn to rein it or the store is gonna be in trouble. They are walking a fine line.