Kaufman cop who refused to arrest hungry shoplifter, against Wal-Mart's wishes, taken off duty

[douglas9]

A Kaufman police officer was taken off the job this week after he became Facebook-famous for refusing to arrest a hungry shoplifting suspect.

But the department says its internal investigation is unrelated to "the compassion and kindness" shown by Sgt. Nick Stevens, but rather an incident later at the police station.

Stevens was dispatched to a Wal-Mart around noon Wednesday after a theft was called in.

When he arrived, police said, Stevens met with the suspect who told him that he had stolen food and a drink because he was hungry and hadn't eaten in two days.

Stevens let the man off with a warning and gave him some cash.

The Wal-Mart insisted on pressing charges, though Stevens felt it wasn't necessary. However, when the victim of a crime wants to press charges, police are obligated to do so.

Stevens' daughter, Kelsey Stevens, took to Facebook on Wednesday, saying her father was taken off duty because he wouldn't arrest the shoplifting suspect. She has since deleted the post.


https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2017/12/08/kaufman-officer-facing-investigation-helping-hungry-shoplifting-suspect

[louis-t]

1. Speechless.

Walton family are motherfuckers.

[Watchfoxheadexplodes]

2. I would have arrested him or her

Then dropped them off at McDonald's with a ten dollar bill.

Some store managers and security will rat out compassionate officers.

My first security gig back in the day was at a supermarket Winn Dixie. Store manager had a sign on door:

"If you are hungry and in need please see a cashier rather than make shoplifting a bad decision"