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© Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.Seattle bank teller loses job for chasing, catching robber
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KyotoChris
Or apparently the women who do it to release estrogen. Let's get away from the guy bashing.
LoveUSA
I admire such men who with risk to their own life act bravely and logically. He thought quickly, acted boldly and decisively and was successful in what he did. he deserves a promotion. Hero! We need more men like him, not the sissies who post millions of messages on Jt to release some testosterone.
KyotoChris
The would-be robber started all of this and the teller stopped it and (mostly) everyone is coming down on him?? I say good job to Nicholson for having the courage to try to do something right instead of just comply like a cow to the slaughterhouse.
The758
Nice policy: get them out the door so they can live to rob another day.
I applaud Mr. Nicholson. Good for him!!
lostrune2
Klein2,
Managers have more leeway what to do, but not the rank-and-filers. Management is on a different class.
Badsey
It is always very interesting to watch how the Liberal media works:
In this case the would-be robber's name is not published where our Hero's name (the Liberal's criminal) is.
In the Gates case, the lady that called in to police had her name published and had to hire an attorney to protect herself.
-very backward (dangerous) logic is at work here.
sfjp330
One thing is that you really cannot tell the state of mind of bank robbers. When you run into desperate individual, such as in this case, he can do anything. If the teller resists, this robber can possibly kill other employee at the bank, bystanders, etc. If this happens, this puts subtantial liability on the Bank. You really don't know what type of weapons he carries. This is a huge risk if you try to be a hero. Bank is right on this.
ca1ic0cat
If the guy had a bomb what then. We can play all sort of "what if" scenarios but the guy violated a policy designed to keep people from getting hurt. If the perp was taking hostages and threatening to kill people then it's time for action. If, in this instance, the robber had pulled a gun and said "here's your weapon" and shot the teller - then what?
Unfortunately the guy had to be fired. What he did was reckless.
Molenir
The man needed to be fired. He violated policy. And since this is a life or death policy, the company cannot afford to be giving a slap on the wrist. As nice as it is when things work out, trying to play the hero usually has bad effects, and when someone is waving a gun around, can get people killed. The policy is there for a reason. I understand about wanting to tell the guy who had the guts to stand up and do something, but when it could potentially cost others lives, then rewarding that behavior is not a good idea.
Hotbox08
Good point. There have been several stories coming out where Good Samaritans have either been punished, or sued for their good deeds. I remember one where a man saved a woman from a car in a flood, but was sued for causing some damage to her arm, from saving her. That is totally whacked if you ask me.
Klein2
In a couple of jobs I had when I was younger, I worked with managers like this, and no LOSTRUNE, it is certainly not about the money with these guys.
I would hire the guy in an instant and here is why. If you punch a clock and do your time, you don't care if the place gets ripped off because it is the boss' money after all, right? Not to these guys. When someone rips them off, they take it personally. When I worked fast food, I saw managers hurdle the counter twice to go after quick changers. Truly inspiring. In retail, one manager's apprehension of a shoplifter and the ensuing beatdown behind a dumpster in South Central LA were legendary. One restaurant manager started a car chase that the police eventually ended. Sure, there are policies, but there is nothing NOTHING that will inspire coworkers and a business owner like seeing a manager hang it out there. Word also gets around the neighborhood that messing with XYZ is not healthy, which goes a long way to making a safe working environment.
A REPO MAN gets into stressful situations.
Too bad about this guy. I am sure he will find something a lot better very soon. I would not be surprised if they quietly rehired him in another capacity.
Everton2
Fire his ass!
sharky1
In America, no good deed goes unpunished...
presto345
The bank could have said 'Thank you very much, but please don't do it again as we have insurance to cover our losses'.
GJDailleult
I don't know the stats, but I would bet that the number of heroes who get themselves and others killed is a lot higher than the number who overpower the robber, and that explains the policy. This is just another case of survivor bias, just because it worked out this time doesn't mean it is a bright thing to do.
xpompey8
He should be a loan shark then.
I say kudos to him. We're all sick and tired of these career criminals who know they can get away with anything. Going to jail is like going on a holiday for them. Free food and shelter. I'm sure he'll do well after all this publicity.
SuperLib
Yeah, sounds like this guy is better suited for a different job where his skills can come in handy....
Helter_Skelter
Wow. Not a guy you want working in a bank. They were correct to fire him. He'll hopefully find a job that's a bit more thrilling than banking..
lostrune2
It's about money (duh, bank, pardon the pun) - if the teller gets himself or other people in the bank killed, the bank could get sued (for various reasons, negligence, settlement, lost earnings, etc). Though the bank should've given him a warning, not fire him. Unless it wasn't the first time he was reckless while working there.
Crime-fighting would be left to the trained experts (like the police or security guards), where there would be no suing as danger is expected for the profession.
kinniku
While what the teller did was incorrect proceedure, it is certainly possible that by helping to capture this robber he actually saved the lives of other future victims. I think the bank should have given him a warning. Also, yes, I agree with smithinjapan that it is a shame he had to add the last part. It makes it seem like he cares less about the crime and more about the thrills.
Taka313
I wouldn't worry about the bank teller. I'm sure he will be paid handsomely for the movie/book/TV rights to his story.
Taka
Jbizzle
What a backwards world we live in.
Triumvere
Hey, I hear the army is recruiting...
timorborder
What a screwball story. The guy should be feted as a hero, not put out on the streets. Yeah, we all know the SOPs about when somebody puts a gun in your face, blah, blah, blah, but some people actually have the intestinal fortitude to take matters into their own hands.
TheQuestion
Thats so unfair it's not even funny! Apparently robbers get treated better than I do.
He's not a criminal, he was just fired for going against bank policy even the teller himself understands that.
Badsey
In Japan, this man would be a hero, but in Amerika -he is the criminal and looked down upon even by his coworkers.
Would I give a damn about one Federal Reserve fiat note -nope, steal as many as you can since they "steal" everyday from the American taxpayer.
smithinjapan
“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.
It's a shame he had to add this last part, as I'm sure it will garner less sympathy. I feel sorry for the guy to an extent, but if the robber DID have a weapon and decided to let loose, this teller would have been in part to blame. Good on him for not wanting to put up with crime, but bad way to try and enforce it. I'm sure he'll find another job.
OssanAmerica
Then why doesn't he get a job in law enforcement? Or be all that he can be.