Robbery Protocol

April 14, 2021 / 4 minutes of reading / Dispensaries

We have received questions about the robbery protocol for marijuana businesses. In response we have prepared best practices outlining the proper protocol. This robbery protocol is primarily aimed at training employees, but it also contains information for owners and managers so you have quick access to the reporting requirements.

The Protocol:

Preventing Robberies

Employees should take the following daily precautions to try to prevent break-ins and robberies at the facility:

  1. Check all security equipment and carefully follow opening and closing procedures to ensure the business is secured in non-business hours.
  2. Do not discuss cash levels and security procedures with non-employees.
  3. Be alert for suspicious persons loitering around the interior or exterior of the licensed premises.
  4. Be alert for suspicious vehicles near the licensed premises.
  5. Suspicious activity should be reported to the manager on duty.

Robbery in Progress

If employees encounter an in-progress robbery, the following action should be taken.

  1. Remain calm and avoid any action that would jeopardize the safety of personnel or customers.
  2. Obey the robber’s instructions, even if it appears that employees or customers cannot be harmed. No amount of money or product is worth the risk of endangering a person’s life.
  3. Try to be as observant as possible. Take note of the following:
    1. The robber’s physical characteristics, including: race, sex, height, weight, facial features, accents, scars, marks and/or deformities, and right or left-handed.
    2. The number of robbers and their clothing description, as well as any names used by the robbers.
    3. Description of any weapons used.
    4. If the robber uses a note, place it out of sight to retain as evidence.
    5. Description of vehicles used and license plates if possible.
  4. Inform the robber of any surprises. If someone is expected back soon or if you must reach or move in any way, tell the robber what to expect so they will not be startled.

After the Robbery

Immediately after the robbery, follow the below instructions, in order:

  1. Lock the doors once the robbers have left the licensed premises so that they cannot reenter.
  2. Check employees and customers for injuries. If anyone is injured, immediately call 911 for medical assistance.
  3. Call 911 and give your best description of the events to the dispatch operator including all items above that you observed.
  4. Close and secure the licensed premises until the police arrive to preserve the scene of the crime for physical evidence.
  5. Each employee (and customer, if cooperative) involved in the incident should write down his/her description of the robber and events. Employees should not confer with other witnesses or compare notes. This should be done as soon as is safe to take advantage of your short term memory.
  6. Ask customers and witnesses to remain at the licensed premises to assist with police. If customers insist on leaving, obtain their full name and contact information and permit them to leave once it is safe to do so.
  7. The manager on duty should call the owners to inform them of the situation.
  8. The owners or managers will report the incident to the local licensing authority and Marijuana Enforcement Division as is required by the marijuana rules.
  9. Do not post about the robbery on social media or discuss the incident with others until police have confirmed it is ok to do so. Do not disclose at any time how much money or property was stolen except to police and other staff. If the amount of money is released, it may encourage subsequent robberies or robberies of other marijuana facilities in the area.
  10. Cooperate with police as the investigation progresses.

Management: After the Robbery

Management and Owners should be aware of the following marijuana regulations in addition to the above:

  1. The Marijuana Enforcement Division R904 requires the following in relevant part:

“Reporting of Crime on the Licensed Premises or Otherwise Related to a Retail Marijuana Establishment. A Retail Marijuana Establishment and all Licensees employed by the Retail Marijuana Establishment shall report to the Division any discovered plan or other action of any Person to (1) commit theft, burglary, underage sales, diversion of marijuana or marijuana product, or other crime related to the operation of the subject Retail Marijuana Establishment; or (2) compromise the integrity of the Inventory Tracking System. A report shall be made as soon as possible after the discovery of the action, but not later than 14 days. Nothing in this paragraph (B) alters or eliminates any obligation a Retail Marijuana Establishment or Licensee may have to report criminal activity to a local law enforcement agency.”

To complete this requirement, email the Marijuana Enforcement Division.

  1. Make sure to comply with any local jurisdiction reporting requirements.