Catching an employee...

[northern]

First off, I'll introduce myself. My name is Jackie and I currently work for a retirement community full-time and I manage 14 staff members. I was asked by a family member to investigate one of our residents' liquor cabinets because the family hasn't visited recently (so the liquor wasn't being used by them) and the cabinet is too high for the resident to use; so there was suspicion that it could be an employee.

Of course I then took the opportunity with the permission of the family to plant two additional bottles in the cabinet where I then monitored it daily for about a month. No change. Now it has been two weeks later, and I happened to have checked the bottles, and of course it has been used. I happened to not wipe down the bottle ahead of time, so catching fingerprints wouldn't work unless I wait for another occurance. My question here is what are the options? I know I can always call our police department to set up a survelliance system, but is there something we could do at our facility so we don't bother the police? This is petty compared other crimes being committed in town, so I don't want to take away from their work. I understand that if money is involved, it would have to be caught on camera, but since this is alcohol (glass bottles), can we catch fingerprints somehow? Meaning, what can I use to wipe down the bottles and if we catch it used, is it just that easy to gather fingerprint samples?

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Just do an internal investigation and fire the person. Unless you live in a tiny town, no prosecutor is going to take the time to file theft charges on that. They certainly wouldn't expend the money and manpower to dust or fume those bottles for prints.

[northern]

Thanks Sgt. I figured an internal investigation was the only route to go. I definitely plan on firing whomever it ends up being just because it is hazardous to the other residents if you are under the influence. I know that it wouldn't be something worth filing. I am just trying to figure out the proper way of doing an internal investigation. Any ideas on how to approach one?

Jackie

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Yes, but I can't offer that kind of advice to you. You'll need to consult your HR or legal department to see how they want to handle it.

[Kimble]

Yes, but I can't offer that kind of advice to you. You'll need to consult your HR or legal department to see how they want to handle it.

Exactly, because if you do what we recommend, and it's not to the liking of your bosses or corporate legal department, I don't think the excuse, "Well a bunch of anonymous cops on the Internet told me to do it this way" will help you much.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Why would one of your residents keep liquor in a cabinet that is too tall for them to get to?

[SnapShawt]

It sounds like the family keeps liquor there for them to use when they visit as the resident can't even reach it. They have to have a drink when the visit???? Or is there another way the resident is able to use it, by having an assistant help? In any case, if it is unsafe for one of the employees to be under the influence around the residents, then how is it okay for the actual RESIDENTS or their family members to be under the influence around other residents? I don't get that one. Granted, I'm sure employees being the influence is different as they actually provide care, but it could still be considered unsafe for ANYONE to be under the influence in the facility.

On the theft portion of it, follow the advice given and do an internal investigation like you're doing. Cops are not going to come and collect prints from the bottle for possible charges based on what is a minor theft issue. The ID division has much more important fish to fry. Maybe put a hidden camera in the room if possible facing only that cabinet and see what you see as part of that investigation which will give you lock solid proof.

Like I said, I do see the difference between employees and residents/visitors doing the drinking, but in the end it just doesn't make any sense in comparison.

[RoadKingTrooper]

Let me see if I got this right,

You work at a retirement community

Liquor is kept on the premises for relatives visiting

Someone is drinking without authorization

Are retirement homes so miserable that the visitors need a stiff drink to survive the visit?

One of your employee's (nightshift, graveyards) is bored and pilfering the booze.

[Creeker]

Here you go:

Security Cameras | Video Security Camera System | CCTV Video Surveillance Systems

I like the cameras hidden in the clocks and smoke detectors, personally.

Go wild.