The “Six-Steps to Apprehension” first introduced, in the early 1980s, and put into practice by Charles Sennewald, CPP, CSC and John Christman, CPP. Both Sennewald and Christman are retail security practitioners who felt the need for a set of guidelines that would help retailers reduce their liability when stopping shoplifting suspects.

Retailers are initially guided by what is commonly called, “merchant statutes.” Every state has enacted a merchant statute that holds a merchant, their employee or agent harmless when they stop and question a theft suspect. The merchant must have “probable” or “reasonable” cause to stop and question a person they believe has stolen merchandise from their store. The issue is exactly what constitutes probable or reasonable cause? Thus, the “Six-Steps to Apprehension” guidelines were developed and put into place.

Although the “Six-Steps to Apprehension” are not a legal requirement in any state, merchants who follow the guidelines may reduce their liability significantly as probable cause is clearly articulated and the risk of error minimized. The following “Six-Steps to Apprehension" can found be found the publication, Shoplifting, Managing the Problem, By John Christman, CPP and Charles Sennewald, CPP, ASIS International – 2006:

1. See the suspect approach the merchandise.
2. See the suspect take possession of the merchandise.
3. See where the suspect conceals the merchandise.
4. Maintain uninterrupted surveillance to ensure that the suspect doesn’t dispose of the merchandise.
5. See the suspect fail to pay for the merchandise.
6. Approach the suspect outside the store.

Although there may be, at times, extraordinary circumstances where the Six-Steps to Apprehension cannot be followed, as in fitting room apprehensions, the guidelines should be followed as closely as possible.

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