Do you guys ever carry anything? I think pepper spray should be allowed.

Most companies don’t want the liability of you hurting somebody, even if you have cause. They’d rather loose the money from the theft than face millions of dollars in lawsuits

Do you really wanna pepper spray someone and then try to get them back in the office and be in an enclosed space with that person doused in pepper spray?

Please don't spray bear spray in the building... I was at a party when I was 16 and some drunk idiot thought it would be hilarious to spray a whole canister of bear spray. We were in the backyard in an open space, 10 of us ended up in the ER. My friend actually lost vision in one of her eyes.

This was OUTSIDE. Don't carry bear spray with the intention to use it on humans inside.

If you're putting yourself in a position where you -might- need to defend yourself, you're doing your job wrong.

Not a single retailer that I am aware of pays enough to expect anyone to out themselves in harm's way

I work AP in Portland. Unless we have a uniformed guard at my store (some do, some don’t) I don’t stop people with visible weapons. I know some of our guys have bought stab resistant vests, but it’s few and far between. Ultimately your safety is priority. No amount of product is worth getting hurt over. My boss thinks that, my bosses boss thinks that and so on. If you your bosses aren’t on the same page I would get out.

That being said… I’ve found that the stores that have uniformed guards at the door tend to be less violent. Just having that presence usually deters people

Defending twinkies with bear spray.. is this what you envisioned yourself doing when you were a little boy?

Nope. Awareness and observation will keep you out of most dangerous situations. For example, while you’re observing them, look at their waistband/pockets for any knives, box cutters, the bulge of a gun, etc. If I see a gun, I just call PD. Me contacting them would likely end poorly for me, so I just don’t do it. When I was hands-on, I’d immediately wrap-up anyone whose hands shot to their waistband, as that can be interpreted as an aggressive move. Now that I’m hands-off, I keep a decent distance between the shoplifter and myself. That way, if they go for a knife, I have more options for getting out of their way. Sure, they get the product, but I stay safe and I keep my job. Win/win.

That said, if assaulted, I’ve got enough training and experience to be confident in my abilities. It really doesn’t happen all that often, though. Most shoplifters are just yappy little fucks that like to talk big.

I carry pepper spray in my pocket and there have been times I’ve pulled it out but have never actually had to use it. Now I do work for a company that actually wants us to physically stop shoplifters and get the merchandise back. Also in my state pepper spray is considered non lethal and isn’t even categorized as a weapon. So it also depends on your state and local laws.

Jesus Christ lol

Not too long ago, handcuffs were commonly used. This went away right around the time I started

It amazes me how many people are in here telling you that you are crazy for wanting a weapon to be able to defend yourself! I carry a knife every single day, not because I ever intend to use it, but because you never know how someone will respond to being accused of a crime! For everyone saying “bringing a weapon to the situation will just make it worse!”: yeah, it will make it worse for the shoplifter who attacks an innocent LP! Thats the point! Ignore them! They clearly dont understand how rough it can be doing this job and they dont have your beat interest at heart! Oh also for those people who say “but you will lose your job!”, my answer is: “and? So what?! I carry a knife even though I know that if I ever pull it out, even to threaten someone with it, Im fired. I care about my life far more than this job!” Hope this helps. Stay strong.

I always carried a firearm, knife, and pepper spray. Only had to use the pepper spray once. Ended the situation immediately. But to be clear, what I carried on the job was strictly for self defense only. Not to protect product. If they cooperated then great, if they left, then oh well. But if for some reason they decided to attack me I had the means to defend myself. Everything was concealed of course.

I would advise you to use what you can around you. Could be a shopping basket, your keys, a belt, a candle on the shelf, or even a baseball bat that you keep in the office or hidden by the doors.

Legally, AP/LP where I live can carry OC and Batons if they get certified. I don’t know of any companies that actually allow it though lol.

Carry your CCW on you then. That’s really the only thing that’s going to protect you against someone if they come at you with lethal force. If you’re willing to break company policy because you’re in fear at work you might as well just carry your firearm on you.

I have a knife on me….