Key Bank in Seattle fires a teller for stopping a robbery

Hey guys, as you have noticed, I've been really busy this past two weeks. If I don't post much on this blog, usually it's because life has been hectic and full. With the mother-in-law visiting, school papers, and other time consuming activities, I've had very little time to devote to one of my favorite pastimes, writing this blog. I came across a story today that sparked some personal relevance and I thought I'd share it with you to see what you think.

Many of you already know that I used to be a teller at Travis Credit Union and a pizza delivery guy for Round Table Pizza. I know all about the "training" that tellers go through to avoid conflict with a person who is robbing you. Essentially, you just give them the money and smile as they steal your member's money hoping that the cameras and police work will be enough to find and convict them later. I also am very familiar with what it is like to be fired for breaching policy because a company wants to distance itself from a potentially messy situation. I say all this to point out that Jim Nicholson, a Key Bank teller, is a man I admire and respect.

"Jim Nicholson knew he should have just handed over the cash.

But when the thin man in a beanie cap, dark clothing and sunglasses pushed a black backpack across the bank counter and demanded money, Nicholson says his instincts took over.

After more than two years working as a teller at the Key Bank branch in Lower Queen Anne, Nicholson clearly understood the bank's strict policy of quickly complying with robbers' demands and avoiding confrontation.

Instead, Nicholson threw the bag to the floor, lunged toward the robber and demanded to see a weapon. Surprised, the would-be bank robber backed up and then bolted for the door, with Nicholson on his heels.

Nicholson, 30, chased the man for several blocks before knocking him to the ground with the help of a passer-by. Nicholson then held him until police arrived.

That was Tuesday.

On Thursday, Nicholson was fired." Story by Jennifer Sullivan, Seattle Times

If you read the rest of the story you will find that Jim is not upset with the bank for firing him, in fact he understands why they did it. I don't agree this is best for for financial institutions though. The truth that most commentators and policy setters do not understand is that humans, like water, follow the path of least resistance. And in the world of crime, financial institutions practice pacifism, hereby, leading to their frequent robberies.

I remember being trained how to spot a potential bank robber in line. I remember how they tend to appear nervous, step in-and-out of the teller line, and the types of clothing that is statistically used to hide their identity. All of this, Mr. Nicholson knew, but as all financial institutions train us to spot a potential threat, they then quickly tell us to do nothing about it. We are supposed to just let it happen.

I personally applaud his actions because unlike the financial institutions we worked for, I do not believe the world is safer when you pass the moral responsibility of preventing crimes to the state alone. We have to realize that in the end, these guys rob banks and credit unions because they know we will do nothing about it. Weapons are unnecessary since all that is required to walk out of a bank with money is a threatening note. Once this is accomplished, the perpetrators success is determined by their ability to keep from getting caught.

I say all this to state: Humans are creatures of habit; habits created by incentives. In other words, everything thing we do in life we do because we believe it is worth it at the time. This includes people who rob banks. If policies are created that make it easy to steal money from a bank, criminals will continue to do it and it will become habitual. In effect, we are playing a small role in training bank robbers by having a no retaliation policies.

If you agree or disagree, I'm interested to know what you think.