Reasons not to shop at Wal-Mart

Once in a while I will post something like this; a story or an article where I will insert my comments below the appropriate paragraphs. This is one such post. My comments are in blue, just like this intro.

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.

Apparently Wal-Mart management prefers for their customers and employees to be used for target practice. Can I say Target in a story about Wal-Mart??

Lori Poulsen, Justin Richins, Shawn Ray and Gabriel Stewart were all longtime workers at Wal-Mart's Layton, Utah, store. Poulsen was an asset protection coordinator, Richins and Ray were asset protection associates, and Stewart was an assistant manager.

They were protecting the store's greatest assets, it's customers and employees.

On Jan. 13, employees allegedly witnessed a man identified as Trent Allen Longton take a netbook computer out of the package and stuff it under his shirt. When Longton attempted to leave the store, he was confronted by Poulsen, who escorted him to a nearby office. The two were joined there by Ray, Richins and Stewart, Salt Lake City's Deseret News reported.

Inside the office, Longton allegedly pulled out a loaded handgun and ran toward the office door, which was blocked by Ray, Richins and Stewart. Longton then allegedly grabbed Stewart and shoved the gun into his back. Concerned for their safety, the workers reacted forcefully and disarmed Longton.

These people are heroes! They should have been promoted and given raises, not fired!!

In the police incident report, the investigating officer noted that the Wal-Mart employees acted in the "best interest and safety" of those around them. Longton, as it turned out, was a convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The police report got it right. They were acting in the best interest of their customers and fellow employees. I guess had they scurried away like little mice and let the guy use the store as a shooting gallery then I guess they would have been promoted at the expense of who knows how many lives.

Wal-Mart managers, however, disagreed. The following week, the four workers were fired for violating the company's "Investigation and Detention of Shoplifters Policy." The policy instructs employees to retreat if an individual brandishes a weapon.

Wal-Mart policy in a nutshell: Scurry away like scared rodents and let the convicted felon kill innocent men, women, and children.

"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."

Cower under a cash register and call the police and hope they get there before the death toll reaches a dozen.

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."

SUSPECTS!?! Protect the physical well being of the suspects!?! Newsflash for Wal-Mart managers. So nimrod pulls a gun and starts threatening with it he forfeits his right to maintain his physical well being. He either leaves in handcuffs or in a body bag, his choice.

Speaking with the Deseret News last week, the dismissed employees said they had nowhere to go and were forced to subdue the suspect when he charged them. They also said they were not comfortable allowing an armed man into the store area where shoppers could be at risk.

These three have more common sense and courage than the managers that fired them and the ones who adopted this inept policy. In fact, rather than being fired, they should have been promoted to manager.

Wal-Mart did not immediately respond to a request for comment today from AOL News.


I bet not. Kind of hard to defend this kind of lunacy.


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”.


They put the safety and well being of the suspect in jeopardy while protecting the safety and well being of the customers and their fellow employees. They did the right thing!!


Stewart, who had been with Wal-Mart for 12 years, told the newspaper he is still trying to understand the company's decision.

The decision is so devoid of logic it doesn't deserve to be understood.
 
"I honestly felt worse than when I had the gun to my back," he said. "I honestly felt betrayed."


You were betrayed my friend. You didn't get shot in the back, but you certainly got stabbed in the back.