Man Loses Job Over Heroics - Blu-ray Forum

Lepidopterous · 08-04-2009, 02:52 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090802/...robbery_teller

A bank teller loses his job for provoking and chasing a robber down for police. Kind of dramatic that he lost his job over it. But was it necessary?

Batman1980 · 08-04-2009, 02:55 AM

SEATTLE – A Seattle bank teller has lost his job because he ran down a would-be bank robber and held him until police arrived. Jim Nicholson, 30, who had worked for more than two years at a Key Bank branch near the Seattle Center, says he understands the bank's strict policy that employees comply with robbery demands and avoid confrontations.

But he told The Seattle Times that instinct took over when a thin man in a beanie cap, dark clothing and sunglasses pushed a black backpack across the bank counter on Tuesday and demanded money.

Nicholson threw the bag to the floor, lunged toward the man and demanded to see a weapon. The man bolted for the door with Nicholson in pursuit.

He chased him several blocks before knocking him to the ground with the help of a passer-by. Nicholson then held the man until police arrived.

On Thursday, Nicholson was fired. Key Bank spokeswoman Anne Foster declined to comment on Nicholson and his actions.

Police and the FBI discourage such heroics. Bank tellers are trained to get robbers out the door quickly and are advised against possibly escalating a situation over money that's federally insured.

Nicholson said he understands why he was fired.

"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," he said. "I thought if I let him go he would rob more banks and cause more problems."

Seattle police Sgt. Sean Whitcomb said the best course for citizens is to be good witnesses to crimes.

"When confronted by a violent criminal, it is best to comply unless they feel their personal safety is in jeopardy. It is possible that taking action and confronting the criminal may lead to the injury of the victim or other bystanders."

"You want tellers to be proactive, but you want them to do it safely," said FBI Special Agent Fred Gutt.

The would-be robber, a 29-year-old transient, has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for theft and robbery, according to court records. Charges in the attempted robbery were not immediately filed.

Nicholson said he has run after shoplifters while working at other retail jobs.

"It's something I almost look forward to. It's a thrill and I'm an adrenaline-junkie person. It's the pursuit," he said.

___

Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com
From the company byline standpoint? Absolutely. He could've hurt himself or others if the robber had fought back or been armed. From a me standpoint, of course not. He did the right thing and should've been rewarded for it.

tommyboy81 · 08-04-2009, 03:21 AM

Nicholson threw the bag to the floor, lunged toward the man and demanded to see a weapon. The man bolted for the door with Nicholson in pursuit.

This is the main reason right here. What if the guy had a gun? You just risked the saftey of not only you but your co-workers and customers.

Marcusarilius · 08-04-2009, 03:38 AM

The guy stopped a crime. A big crime! Bank robbers get more time than murderers do. This IS a right to work state...

beefytwinkie · 08-04-2009, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyboy81

Nicholson threw the bag to the floor, lunged toward the man and demanded to see a weapon. The man bolted for the door with Nicholson in pursuit.

This is the main reason right here. What if the guy had a gun? You just risked the saftey of not only you but your co-workers and customers.

Yea. That's what I was thinking. I mean, it's kinda cool I guess that he managed to subdue the guy but I understand why the bank fired him.

ThePhantomOak · 08-04-2009, 04:22 AM

Bank has a policy to keep people from getting killed.

The money is insured, the insurer thinks it is best to let them take the money and be caught later...etc.

If the bank was interested in keeping money over safety, they would have door locks that trap the robber in. They dont. SHOCKER.

The guy should have been arrested for endangering everyones life, along with the robber.

Hero and dumbarse are not the same thing.

supersix4 · 08-04-2009, 05:53 AM

Lol I kinda changed my vote after reading on here I guess it is better to just let him go. Still I don't think he should have gotten fired just explained in plain language why its better to let him go.

If he had freaked and had an uzi ppl would have been like why'd he try to be a hero?

STARSCREAM · 08-04-2009, 06:22 AM

Should have just gave him all the cash and got him out of there. I used to work at a bank for 3 years and were told the same thing, just give them the money. I mean the guy shouldn't care about giving the money to him, it's not his own money anyway plus the bank will be reimbursed.

katharsis · 08-04-2009, 06:38 AM

I am glad he got fired. All banks are insured so it doesn't matter. He did not only endanger his own life, but also the lives of all the people in the bank and outside while he was chasing him. You never know how this could have ended.
I for one would not want a bank teller acting like that, and if it ever should happen while I am around will make sure to get the person in trouble and/or switch banks!

RiseDarthVader · 08-04-2009, 08:49 AM

Yeah the money is insured so it is not the best idea to be a hero and risk lives of everyone around you. Why chase after the person tryng to steal the money if the bank won't lose anything when the insurance kicks in?

Fors* · 08-04-2009, 11:46 AM

I work for a bank and this guy screwed himself out of $250 besides endangering his co-workers. If he had just given him the money with the die-pack and the die-pack had gone off sending red die everywhere, he would have gotten a nice bonus from the company that provides the die-packs...so he lost at least $250 (maybe more, I'm not sure of the exact amount.) Plus, if he did have a gun, this would have been national news probably, with multiple homicides involved. Adrenline is one thing, having and using your brain is entirely another. Lastly, he signed a code of conduct disclosure when hired, going after the robber is against the code of conduct that he acknolwedged. The bank really had no alternative, because not firing him for breaking the code of conduct would have probably created other violations down the road with other employees because it would seem apparent to them that the bank doesn't enforce it's policies and procedures. Just a super dumb move IMO.

mikejet · 08-04-2009, 12:50 PM

He should enroll in the Police Academy.

Galactus · 08-04-2009, 01:01 PM

Clearly this guy has seen The Dark Knight one too many times.

fatediesel · 08-04-2009, 01:05 PM

I think the man deserved to lose his job. He put multiple lives in jeopardy and went against company policy (and common sense) by going after the robber. It isn't worth risking lives over a small amount of money.

A somewhat similar event happened last year in Iowa. A Pizza Hut delivery man was robbed but the delivery man was carrying a gun (which he had a concealed weapon permit for and was properly registered). After he was robbed the robber started to walk away but then turned back and pointed the gun at the man. The delivery man knocked the gun away from the robber and then pulled out his gun and shot the robber multiple times and then held him down until police came. The delivery man was then fired from his job because of Pizza Hut's policy that employees cannot carry weapons.

Another_Dude · 08-04-2009, 01:53 PM

Lets look at the other side of the coin:

One of the people involved is a criminal. He has a history of doing this and likely planned to keep doing it in the future. If he is allowed to continue and becomes more bold then someone could get hurt or killed. Hopefully, because the teller stopped him, the robber will spend enough time in jail to either die from something or change his ways.

I understand the bank's liability and why the teller lost his job. At the same time, it doesn't look too good for our society when someone does stand up and do the right thing, to risk themselves to stop a career criminal, to say enough is enough...and people just wish he would have been an easier victim.

If more people were like the teller then less people would be like the bank robber.

mikejet · 08-04-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Another_Dude

Lets look at the other side of the coin:

One of the people involved is a criminal. He has a history of doing this and likely planned to keep doing it in the future. If he is allowed to continue and becomes more bold then someone could get hurt or killed. Hopefully, because the teller stopped him, the robber will spend enough time in jail to either die from something or change his ways.

I understand the bank's liability and why the teller lost his job. At the same time, it doesn't look too good for our society when someone does stand up and do the right thing, to risk themselves to stop a career criminal, to say enough is enough...and people just wish he would have been an easier victim.

If more people were like the teller then less people would be like the bank robber.

He admits in the article that he did it because he is an adrenaline junkie and loves the thrill of it.

Another_Dude · 08-04-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikejet

He admits in the article that he did it because he is an adrenaline junkie and loves the thrill of it.

I don't know what that has to do with my post.

P@t_Mtl · 08-04-2009, 01:59 PM

He as no training for such situation, he put himself at risk as well as everyone else in the bank. He was lucky this time, what about next time. We have train officer to deal with these situation, let him have the money, let him walk out and let the cops deal with him after.

mikejet · 08-04-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Another_Dude

I don't know what that has to do with my post.

He didn't stand up because he wanted to do something right, he did it for the thrill of it.

DetroitSportsFan · 08-04-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Another_Dude

If more people were like the teller then less people would be like the bank robber.

Well said.

There are too many people that will just roll over instead of fighting back. It's no surprise why this country is the way it is.

View Poll Results: Should Jim have been fired for taking action?
Yes. He endangered the lives of himself and others.	43	56.58%
No. He was justified in doing what he did.	33	43.42%
Voters: 76. You may not vote on this poll

08-04-2009, 02:52 AM	#1
Lepidopterous Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Feb 2008 Location:DjMethod was here Blu-ray collection:696 Trading Score:2	Man Loses Job Over Heroics http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090802/...robbery_teller A bank teller loses his job for provoking and chasing a robber down for police. Kind of dramatic that he lost his job over it. But was it necessary?

08-04-2009, 01:01 PM	#13
Galactus Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Pillars of Creation Blu-ray collection:60 Trading Score:31	Clearly this guy has seen The Dark Knight one too many times. Last edited by Galactus; 08-04-2009 at 01:04 PM.

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08-04-2009, 02:55 AM	#2
Batman1980 Blu-ray Jedi Member since:Feb 2009 Location:District 13 Home Theater Gallery:8 4K collection:146 Blu-ray collection:394 DVD collection:57 Blu-ray reviews:22 Trading Score:48	SEATTLE – A Seattle bank teller has lost his job because he ran down a would-be bank robber and held him until police arrived. Jim Nicholson, 30, who had worked for more than two years at a Key Bank branch near the Seattle Center, says he understands the bank's strict policy that employees comply with robbery demands and avoid confrontations. But he told The Seattle Times that instinct took over when a thin man in a beanie cap, dark clothing and sunglasses pushed a black backpack across the bank counter on Tuesday and demanded money. Nicholson threw the bag to the floor, lunged toward the man and demanded to see a weapon. The man bolted for the door with Nicholson in pursuit. He chased him several blocks before knocking him to the ground with the help of a passer-by. Nicholson then held the man until police arrived. On Thursday, Nicholson was fired. Key Bank spokeswoman Anne Foster declined to comment on Nicholson and his actions. Police and the FBI discourage such heroics. Bank tellers are trained to get robbers out the door quickly and are advised against possibly escalating a situation over money that's federally insured. Nicholson said he understands why he was fired. "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," he said. "I thought if I let him go he would rob more banks and cause more problems." Seattle police Sgt. Sean Whitcomb said the best course for citizens is to be good witnesses to crimes. "When confronted by a violent criminal, it is best to comply unless they feel their personal safety is in jeopardy. It is possible that taking action and confronting the criminal may lead to the injury of the victim or other bystanders." "You want tellers to be proactive, but you want them to do it safely," said FBI Special Agent Fred Gutt. The would-be robber, a 29-year-old transient, has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for theft and robbery, according to court records. Charges in the attempted robbery were not immediately filed. Nicholson said he has run after shoplifters while working at other retail jobs. "It's something I almost look forward to. It's a thrill and I'm an adrenaline-junkie person. It's the pursuit," he said. ___ Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com From the company byline standpoint? Absolutely. He could've hurt himself or others if the robber had fought back or been armed. From a me standpoint, of course not. He did the right thing and should've been rewarded for it.

08-04-2009, 03:21 AM	#3
tommyboy81 Blu-ray Count Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Savannah, GA Home Theater Gallery:17 Blu-ray collection:93 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:2	Nicholson threw the bag to the floor, lunged toward the man and demanded to see a weapon. The man bolted for the door with Nicholson in pursuit. This is the main reason right here. What if the guy had a gun? You just risked the saftey of not only you but your co-workers and customers.

08-04-2009, 03:38 AM	#4
Marcusarilius Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Seattle, WA. Blu-ray reviews:52 Trading Score:1	The guy stopped a crime. A big crime! Bank robbers get more time than murderers do. This IS a right to work state...

08-04-2009, 04:22 AM	#6
ThePhantomOak Blu-ray Guru Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Reno, NEVADA. "Battle Born"	Bank has a policy to keep people from getting killed. The money is insured, the insurer thinks it is best to let them take the money and be caught later...etc. If the bank was interested in keeping money over safety, they would have door locks that trap the robber in. They dont. SHOCKER. The guy should have been arrested for endangering everyones life, along with the robber. Hero and dumbarse are not the same thing.

08-04-2009, 05:53 AM	#7
supersix4 Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Mar 2007 Blu-ray collection:572 Blu-ray reviews: 53 Trading Score:3	Lol I kinda changed my vote after reading on here I guess it is better to just let him go. Still I don't think he should have gotten fired just explained in plain language why its better to let him go. If he had freaked and had an uzi ppl would have been like why'd he try to be a hero?

08-04-2009, 06:22 AM	#8
STARSCREAM Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Dagobah Blu-ray collection:148 Trading Score:67	Should have just gave him all the cash and got him out of there. I used to work at a bank for 3 years and were told the same thing, just give them the money. I mean the guy shouldn't care about giving the money to him, it's not his own money anyway plus the bank will be reimbursed.

08-04-2009, 06:38 AM	#9
katharsis Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:SoCal Home Theater Gallery:16 Blu-ray collection:379 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	I am glad he got fired. All banks are insured so it doesn't matter. He did not only endanger his own life, but also the lives of all the people in the bank and outside while he was chasing him. You never know how this could have ended. I for one would not want a bank teller acting like that, and if it ever should happen while I am around will make sure to get the person in trouble and/or switch banks!

08-04-2009, 08:49 AM	#10
RiseDarthVader Power Member Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Australia Blu-ray collection:136	Yeah the money is insured so it is not the best idea to be a hero and risk lives of everyone around you. Why chase after the person tryng to steal the money if the bank won't lose anything when the insurance kicks in?

08-04-2009, 11:46 AM	#11
Fors* Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Pottstown, PA Home Theater Gallery:160 4K collection:12 Blu-ray collection:142 Trading Score:11	I work for a bank and this guy screwed himself out of $250 besides endangering his co-workers. If he had just given him the money with the die-pack and the die-pack had gone off sending red die everywhere, he would have gotten a nice bonus from the company that provides the die-packs...so he lost at least $250 (maybe more, I'm not sure of the exact amount.) Plus, if he did have a gun, this would have been national news probably, with multiple homicides involved. Adrenline is one thing, having and using your brain is entirely another. Lastly, he signed a code of conduct disclosure when hired, going after the robber is against the code of conduct that he acknolwedged. The bank really had no alternative, because not firing him for breaking the code of conduct would have probably created other violations down the road with other employees because it would seem apparent to them that the bank doesn't enforce it's policies and procedures. Just a super dumb move IMO.

08-04-2009, 12:50 PM	#12
mikejet Banned Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Los Angeles, CA Blu-ray reviews:5 Trading Score:29	He should enroll in the Police Academy.

08-04-2009, 01:05 PM	#14
fatediesel Blu-ray Count Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Iowa Blu-ray collection:410 Trading Score:47	I think the man deserved to lose his job. He put multiple lives in jeopardy and went against company policy (and common sense) by going after the robber. It isn't worth risking lives over a small amount of money. A somewhat similar event happened last year in Iowa. A Pizza Hut delivery man was robbed but the delivery man was carrying a gun (which he had a concealed weapon permit for and was properly registered). After he was robbed the robber started to walk away but then turned back and pointed the gun at the man. The delivery man knocked the gun away from the robber and then pulled out his gun and shot the robber multiple times and then held him down until police came. The delivery man was then fired from his job because of Pizza Hut's policy that employees cannot carry weapons.

08-04-2009, 01:53 PM	#15
Another_Dude Blu-ray Guru Member since:Dec 2008 Blu-ray collection:191 Blu-ray reviews:8	Lets look at the other side of the coin: One of the people involved is a criminal. He has a history of doing this and likely planned to keep doing it in the future. If he is allowed to continue and becomes more bold then someone could get hurt or killed. Hopefully, because the teller stopped him, the robber will spend enough time in jail to either die from something or change his ways. I understand the bank's liability and why the teller lost his job. At the same time, it doesn't look too good for our society when someone does stand up and do the right thing, to risk themselves to stop a career criminal, to say enough is enough...and people just wish he would have been an easier victim. If more people were like the teller then less people would be like the bank robber.

08-04-2009, 01:59 PM	#18
P@t_Mtl Blu-ray Duke Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Montreal Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:452 DVD collection:513 Trading Score:3	He as no training for such situation, he put himself at risk as well as everyone else in the bank. He was lucky this time, what about next time. We have train officer to deal with these situation, let him have the money, let him walk out and let the cops deal with him after.

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