Posted on 08/02/2009 6:59:16 PM PDT by reaganaut1
Jim Nicholson knew he should have just handed over the cash.
But when the thin man in a beanie cap, dark clothing and sunglasses pushed a black backpack across the bank counter and demanded money, Nicholson says his instincts took over.
After more than two years working as a teller at the Key Bank branch in Lower Queen Anne, Nicholson clearly understood the bank's strict policy of quickly complying with robbers' demands and avoiding confrontation.
Instead, Nicholson threw the bag to the floor, lunged toward the robber and demanded to see a weapon. Surprised, the would-be bank robber backed up and then bolted for the door, with Nicholson on his heels.
Nicholson, 30, chased the man for several blocks before knocking him to the ground with the help of a passer-by. Nicholson then held him until police arrived.
That was Tuesday.
On Thursday, Nicholson was fired.
In a state that consistently ranks in the top 10 nationally in bank robberies, what Nicholson did was not only ill-advised, according to police and the FBI, it was all but unheard of. Bank tellers are trained to get robbers out the door as quickly as possible and are advised against being a hero over money that's federally insured.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
[ Are you volunteering? ]
Specifically, in this case, no.
If the company I worked for had a wussy policy that I had to agree to before being hired then, I would follow the policy. And I have no experience with firearms, anyway. But my post was purely hypothetical and was merely meant to point out that having a wuss policy invites robberies. Having a tough policy discourages them. That’s all.
But I do have experience practicing martial arts and if someone robs me on the street then I’m not going to smile and hand the jerk my wallet and say have a nice day. If the opportunity presents itself, I will do my best to take the guy to the ground so he can’t get back up. If I do my job right, he won’t be able to rob other people for awhile.
I believe that the ready submission of most people to the demands of thieves and thugs only encourages more thievery and thuggery. If more people resisted, there would be a lot less of it and I just want to do my part. <:^)
Defending yourself and your property is very different than doing the same for a company who has decided they don’t want their employees risking their lives on the job.
Bank tellers are trained to get robbers out the door as quickly as possible ......
Well...He got THAT part right!
Can’t move ‘em any faster than chasin’ ‘em!
In the insurance industry I believe they call that a moral hazard and it's supposed to be a bad thing. Anyway, how about banks just leave a big box filled with $10s and $20s outside so would-be robbers can help themselves. Afterall its federal money anyway, the banks are just helping to redistribute a little wealth for Obama.
[Defending yourself and your property is very different than doing the same for a company who has decided they don’t want their employees risking their lives on the job.]
I agree. I think it’s dangerous for untrained bank tellers to try to take on a bank robber on a whim, thinking they’ll be a hero and, in general, I agree with the bank policy of discouraging their employees from doing so.
But this goes too far. The policy is to forbid anyone from trying, no matter what the circumstances, and it punishes those who do try with termination of employment.
In short, it is a policy that is motivated not by an immediate concern for employee safety but by the immediate fear of lawsuits. And it comes at the expense of long term consequences to employee safety.
Consider that this is the same policy that airline flight crews had with regard to hijackers.
Let them take the plane. Don’t get in their way. Do what they say. Let the professionals on the ground handle it.
And alot of robbers are already caught. You only say this because you have no clue what happens in a bank robbery. Do you know anyone that has worked at a bank and been in a take over robbery? Doubt it. If you did you would know this man could of gotten people killed.
Or wait maybe you’re right.. we need more people getting killed over a few thousand dollars. Silly me.
It's one thing to defend yourself or others when you have no other choice. It's quite another to cowboy it up like this doofus did. Good riddance to the knee-jerk hero-wannabe.
We’ll sign you up as spokesman for the “We’re sorry for actions in promoting people to fight back against bank robbers and getting your family member killed club.”
I know it’s a long club name and you might figure out a way to shorten it.
By the way do you plan on paying the equivlent of a life insurance policy for all the people you are advocating getting killed?
I keep posting that Seattle is a leftist, PC shithole. Any doubts about it now?
New name ... Stop Terminating Outstanding People - STOP . You do that. Time for some kind of system which executes thieves and applauds those who stop them.
Excellent choice. This needs to happen hundrends, if not thousands of times. Vote their policy with your money in your hand and your feet walking out.
I took care of a patient once who worked at Walmart. He chased some robbers to their car and jumped on the hood and started banging his elbow aginst the windshield until it cracked (the windshield). He wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer but I commended him on his bravery.
Teller had a 9/12 moment.
Not the smartest move, but effective. Maybe if bank tellers where armed, there would be fewer bank robberies. At least there would be after the first few dead bank robbers. ;)
I think he might have what it takes...
I know this, though: he took the only honorable course of action available (based on the reported facts). We used to be a nation of men. We knew how to deal with thugs. It's a sad day when we diss a guy for taking care of business like this.
Bank tellers are trained to get robbers out the door as quickly as possible ......Conversely, they're required to keep Customers standing in line as long as possible.
(manager) [hmm.. our lines are too short. We must have too many windows open.]They learned this from the Post Office.
'Nancy, Sally and Mike, close your windows and go on a break.'
“I’m sorry sir. This bank requires that we see a weapon before you can rob us. Just a formality, I assure you.”
Okay, bang. It’s not his money but it is his life.
Bad move in a lobby full of customers.
People who rob banks aren't very smart. There might be a few less, but most bank robbers have no idea what bank policy a given bank might have. Their defective mental processes lead them to bank robbery the same way moths are attracted to flame. They can't help it, they are just too dumb to behave otherwise.
Coming soon to health care.
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