Is it illegal to not disclose your stores shoplifiting policy?

Question

I am writing a paper on Shoplifting Policies and Prosecution, and I've been trying to find our Wal*Mart's policy since they just relax it for incidents under 25$.
I've called every 1-800 number from the regular Wal*Mart line to their loss prevention hotline. Each person tells me its confidental, and the last person I talked to, told me to call the police and ask them, but when in the hell would they know wal*mart's shoplifting policy.

Maybe it's out of frustration for wasting so much time to figure this out, but I feel this definetly isn't right that they would and could hold back information about how they will deal with the public, to the public.

Is this legal??? Where could I get this info???

Answer 1

They do not, I think, have to give you their internal policy with respect to seeking enforcement of the law.

If they were going to make a civil claim against shoplifters for "security costs" that would be different. Department stores in Switzerland commonly have such notices ("shoplifters will be made to pay CHF 150 towards security costs"). Of course collecting the money from homeless people and gypsies might be less easy than posting a notice that they're going to claim it.

I've seen descriptions of the Walmart policy change on the Internet. (I've only been to one Walmart in my life, in Canada, and hated it so much I've never gone back.) But I think an Internet search might get you some info and ideas.

Answer 2

I dont think Wal-Mart is obligated to disclose this information. Probably because its different in each case. Ive always thought anything under $25 and your 1st offense you are just required to pay 10x the amt and not come back into the store. Anything above that its probably discretionary on the LP team and in most cases the police are informed and theyre involved in the decision. Maybe call and speak to the LP team or visit the store and explain why its needed, im sure then they would feel more comfortable giving you more info

Answer 3

i think every store has its own different policy, pending on the person catching the person.....in my experience as a grocery store manager, i've caught tons of shop lifters, and my therory is if you know someone who is shoplifting but you dont actually see the person conceal the product then just let it go. i say this because if you stop them as they exit and call the police and the search them and by then discarded the product then can turn around and sue you. so if you do see them conceal the product and its found on them by the police, what what ive learned it useless to file charges because the most anyone ive every caught has been banned from the store for a year at the most. and this rangeing from people stealing 5 dollars worth of stuff to 90 dollars worth of stuff.