Police academy trains businesses in crime prevention
By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer
Importer Tom Sugita learned at the Honolulu Police Department's first Business Police Academy that cashiers have 168 ways to steal from their businesses — a number that he still finds unbelievable.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
For retailer Lynette Sugiyama, whose Uniforms Hawaii business is down the street from the scene of Hawai'i worst mass murder and workplace violence, the Business Police Academy offered tips on detecting dangerous signals from disgruntled employees.
Lynette Sugiyama, president of Uniforms Hawaii, was interested in the Business Police Academy because it offered tips on detecting dangerous signals from disgruntled employees and dealing with identity fraud.
Sugiyama also realized how businesses can help police officers preserve crime scenes and evidence if they become victims.
After each of the academy's seven weekly sessions at HPD headquarters on Beretania Street, Sugiyama returned to work and told her employees about the things she learned. And now she plans to write them in a new employee manual.
"Some of these things I was totally clueless about," Sugiyama said. "I don't see crime too much, but now I have a newfound respect for the police department and all of the things they do. These are all things you need to know as a retailer."
Tonight the first class of 17 participants from HPD's new Business Police Academy will graduate after learning about a huge array of issues that directly affect businesses — from tips on counterfeiting from a Secret Service agent to shoplifting and employee theft to inexpensive ways of making their businesses less desirable crime targets.
"We call it crime prevention through environmental design," said Maj. Mark Nakagawa, head of HPD's criminal investigations division who coordinates the Business Police Academy. "The type of environment you have may either contribute or deter the likelihood of a crime occurring. If you have a parking lot that's well lit, people may not hang out at night or a chain at night may prevent them from coming in."
To get details or to apply for the Honolulu Police Department's Business Police Academy, call 529-3351.
The Business Police Academy is an offshoot of the department's Citizens Police Academy, which graduated its 20th class in May and has seen more than 400 participants.
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But while the Citizens Police Academy exposes everyday people to basic police techniques — including driving skills and shooting standard-issue weapons — the Business Police Academy focuses on issues specific to businesses.
And unlike the Citizens Police Academy, which runs two or three times a year, the shorter Business Police Academy for now will only be held once a year, Nakagawa said.
The idea came from Capt. Delbert Tatsuyama, of the department's finance division, who suggested business people be made more aware of crime, security and workplace issues — and what they can expect from police officers, Nakagawa said.
Sugita, president of a one-man import business called Specialty Sales and Service, heard about the business academy while attending the Citizens Police Academy and was one of the first to apply.
• To deter shoplifting, stores should place smaller items closer to where personnel are stationed, such as cash registers. • After a crime, employees should not touch anything and witnesses should not talk to one another until they've been interviewed by police. • Many businesses suffer greater losses from employee theft rather than from shoplifting. Establish good accounting and supervision practices to deter employee theft. • In some cases, but not all, security alarms and security cameras may offer better lower-cost alternatives to hiring security personnel. • Try to recognize personnel problems in employees quickly and address situations early on. Always make sure that all employees are treated with dignity and respect. Source: Honolulu Police Department
"You may think you know it all, but really you know very little," Sugita said. "Government always reacts after the fact. In the private sector, you have to be aware before the fact."
Security tips for small businesses
He was particularly struck by the session that focuses on employee theft and the 168 ways that cashiers can steal from their business.
"Holy mackerel — 168," Sugita said. "You'd like to trust your employees but you have to be very aware that temptation is always going to be there. It's better to be on your toes then regret it after the fact."
Sugiyama was particularly interested in workplace violence because of the seven co-workers who Byran Uyesugi killed in 1999 at the Xerox building nearby.
"They call it levels of anger; what to look for in disgruntled employees," Sugiyama said. "There are signs that as an employer we're responsible to look for and to keep our employees safe and our customers safe."
She also learned not to mimic television detectives who sometimes touch strange substances to their lips.
"They said that if you see white powder, don't taste it, don't smell it, just call 911," Sugiyama said.
Sugiyama heard about the Business Police Academy as she was trying to untangle herself from two separate cases of identity fraud in which unknown thieves took money out of her checking account and ordered cell phones based on Sugiyama's confidential information.
"I looked at the syllabus (for the academy) and said, 'Oh, my gosh, they're going to talk about identity fraud,' " Sugiyama said. "Being a small business, we don't have deep pockets, so when somebody offers to give us some training, I just had to jump at the chance."
Reach Dan Nakaso at 525-8085 or dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com.
