SOP-25 Retail Shoplifting Arrest Procedure Police Services Division
SOP-25
Issued: 9-22-2015
SUBJECT: RETAIL SHOPLIFTING ARREST PROCEDURE - PRIVATE SECURITY
1. PURPOSE:
1.1 The intent of this order is to establish alternative methods for handling shoplift
incidents for businesses identified as major sources of shoplift arrests where
private store security personnel have apprehended a shoplifter.
2. POLICY
2.1 It is the policy of the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety not to respond to
shoplifters in custody when police response is not necessary.
2.2 Police response will be necessary under any of the following circumstances:
a. The suspect has no identification, or cannot be identified
b. The suspect has outstanding warrants
c. The suspect is uncooperative or combative
d. The suspect is a juvenile and a parent/legal guardian cannot be notified
e. The fair market value of stolen property exceeds $950.00
f. Suspects must have a local & permanent address in order to be eligible for the
program. Out of the area addresses (outside Northern California), PO Boxes,
600 Morgan Street in Santa Rosa and 900 Hopper Street in Petaluma are
considered unacceptable, unless directed otherwise by a responding officer,
these suspects MUST be issued a citation or booked by the officer.
2.3 Reports completed by store security personnel shall be filed with the District
Attorney for a complaint.
2.4 Officers cannot arrest the (S) for a crime other than 488 PC and then refer the
same (S) to the shoplift program for the 488 PC portion, including warrants. If
they arrest (S) for one, they have to arrest for all charges. Any additional reports
by Loss Prevention to substantiate the shoplift portion will be a supplement to the
officer’s initial arrest report documenting all charges.
2.5 If there are multiple suspects, the officer cannot issue one of them a criminal
citation and refer the other(s) to the Shoplift Program.
3. PROCEDURES
3.1 STORE SECURITY RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Store security shall do the following upon detention of a shoplifter:
1. Verify identification of the suspect.
2. Contact RPDPS Dispatch by telephone and provide the suspect’s full
name, date of birth, and identification number if available
3. Release the suspect in accordance with the firm’s policy in those cases that
police personnel do not respond.
a) Juveniles shall be released to their parents or legal guardian.
b) If police response is necessary, store security shall detain the suspect
until an officer arrives.
4. Complete the required reports for the incident utilizing standard Rohnert
Park DPS forms. The crime report number will be provided by Dispatch.
5. Store security personnel shall not tell the detained person that he/she is
under citizen’s arrest to ensure compliance with 847 P.C.
6. Deliver completed reports to RPDPS within 7 days of the incident.
7. Ensure security/store personnel availability to consult with representatives
from the Police Department and District Attorney’s Office regarding
specifics in any reported incident prior to the filing of a complaint.
8. Ensure security/store personnel will be available to testify in any court
proceeding or hearing regarding any reported incident.
9. Retain all relevant audio and/or video recordings of the incident.
3.2 DISPATCH RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Upon notification by security personnel that a shoplift suspect has been
detained Dispatch personnel shall:
1. Create a call for service and include a comment that the incident is an in-
custody shoplifter with a report to be completed by store security.
2. Obtain a full name and date of birth on the suspect, and check the
available records and systems to determine if the individual has any
outstanding warrants or wants.
3. Assist store personnel when necessary and legally possible in identifying
the suspect by verifying information provided by the suspect to store
security.
a) Patrol personnel may be dispatched to assist store security
personnel in obtaining a proper identification of the suspect to
avoid violating CORI policy. Once proper identification is made
patrol personnel will not be required to complete any further
reports unless necessary due to unusual or unique circumstances;
which would then be a supplemental report to the original.
4. If the checks do not reveal information that precludes release, Dispatch
personnel shall advise the security/store personnel that there is no need for
an officer to respond. Dispatch shall provide security with a crime report
number and close the incident with a report status in the call for service.
a) If information is found that precludes release, security/store
personnel shall be advised that an officer will respond and
Dispatch personnel shall assign the call consistent with established
policy.
b) Any questions concerning response will be referred to an on-duty
supervisor for specific direction.
B. A list of those companies and businesses authorized to use this procedure shall
be maintained by Dispatch.
3.3 RECORDS DIVISION RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Records personnel shall ensure the following:
1. That submitted reports are routed to the day shift supervisor for review
and approval.
2. Notify the day shift supervisor of any missing crime reports as generated
by Dispatch personnel.
3. Forward approved reports with complaint review worksheets to the
District Attorney’s office for complaint reviews.
4. For juvenile offenders, mail the completed City of Rohnert Park Notice to
Appear citation and Shoplift Parent Notification letter by way of USPS
certified mail to the listed parent or guardian on page 1 of the Shoplift
Program report.
3.4 PATROL SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Patrol supervisor personnel shall ensure the following:
1. Dayshift supervisors shall review all shoplift reports under this program.
2. Forward approved reports to Records.
3. Contact store security staff to locate missing reports.
4. Contact store security to correct and clarify reports when necessary using
the Return of Shoplift Report Submission letter.
5. Book evidence received, such as photographs or surveillance video
submitted with the report.
6. For juvenile offenders, complete a City of Rohnert Park Notice to Appear
citation and a Shoplift Parent Notification letter using the parent or
guardian information listed on page 1 of the Shoplift Program report and
forward to Records with the approved report.
7. Dayshift supervisors should monitor effectiveness of merchants and
reports being submitted to identify deficiencies or areas to improve upon
and contact merchants as needed to facilitate communication and training