Shoplifter Policy

We examined a number of detachments'/police forces' existing policies and tried to incorporate the best ideas from each one in order to establish ours. We also liaised with the Loss Prevention Officers (LPOs) to obtain their input as to how this program would effect their job. The program allows the LPOs to release the offenders as soon as practicable without police attendance, wherever possible. The LPOs have been given a code which allows them to contact our Communications Centre to have the offender queried on CPIC and PIRS. If the offender is negative or only a minor record exists, they release on a Notice of Summons requesting the offender attend for prints and photos. The LPOs then complete a report to Crown Counsel and drop it off at the office. A file is generated at this time and the reports checked for quality and forwarded to the courts through our court liaison.

The benefits are twofold: they allow the LPOs to get back on the floor quicker while reducing the number of times we have to attend to deal with minor occurrences. There will also be no requirement for our members to attend court as they have had no dealings with the offenders. This will be a cost and time saving measure in the immediate future.

Sgt. P. Boissonneault, Cpl. D. Little, Cst. C. Kuich
Kelowna Detachment
e-mail: G. Forbes
Mailing Address: 350 Doyle Ave., Kelowna, BC V1Y 6V7
Phone: (250) 762-3300