Crime doesn't pay, and neither does stopping one.For about 18 years I worked in the banking business, and for the last eight years or so I was the bank's corporate security director. That means I was appointed by the board of directors to oversee the bank's security program as required by federal regulations. I had to train our branch staff how to respond in the event of a robbery or other security issue and I can tell you this about the story above: the guy did everything wrong.
A Seattle bank teller learned that lesson the hard way last week when he thwarted a would-be robbery — and got fired for bucking company policy.
Jim Nicholson was working at a Key Bank branch on Tuesday when a man wearing a beanie cap, dark clothing and sunglasses entered the bank and demanded money. That's when instinct overwhelmed him.
"They tell us that we're just supposed to comply, but my instincts kicked in and I did what's best to stop the guy," the 30-year-old Nicholson told The Seattle Times. "I thought if I let him go he would rob more banks and cause more problems."
Rather than comply with the robber's demands, Nicholson tossed his bag to the floor, lunged at the suspect and demanded to see a weapon.
"My intent was to grab his glasses off his face, or him," Nicholson told the paper.
The man ran, and Nicholson chased him for several blocks before knocking him down with help from a passerby. Nicholson then held the suspect, Aaron J. Sloan, 29, until police arrived.
Nicholson's reward? Two days after the failed heist, he was fired.
Key Bank spokeswoman Anne Foster declined to comment on his termination, but she said protecting the safety of employees and clients was the bank's top priority.
"Our policies and procedures are in the best interests of public safety and are consistent with industry standards," Foster said in a statement to FOXNews.com on Monday. "Money, which is insured, can be replaced. Lives cannot."
You never chase bank robbers out the door. You don't know if they're armed, if they have accomplices outside waiting for them, or any of a number of other situations that could pose a danger to yourself or others. We can always get more money. We can't replace lives. Dead heroes are still dead and not the smartest way to end your life.
I've already seen him lauded in the press by people who don't know any better. That's to be expected. Everyone wants to believe that going after the bad guy is a good thing. If you're a cop, yes. If you're a bank teller, no.
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3 comments:
I agree with you, but I'm sorry the teller lost his job. Couldn't they have offered to send him to a training class? I do hope they give him a good recommendation for any other job he applies for.
Maybe he needs to become a cop!
It's really sad to see how protective we have become for the criminal's sake.
I liked the way it was in the days past when the Stage Coach had armed men on duty to protect the money. A double barrel shotgun does a pretty good job if you can shoot the criminal before he shoots you. Today most criminals know they are home free in most bank holdups.
A classmate of my children worked at a big box electronic store.
He tripped a robber as he was leaving.
The young man was fired.
There's also the legal issues. The robbers might try and sue.
I would not put it past them or the lawyers.
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