THEFT INVESTIGATIONS
POLICY STATEMENT:
The Division of Veterans Healthcare Services requires each of the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes to establish a procedure for the purpose of reporting and investigating alleged criminal activity, i.e., thefts against residents, facility property, employees, and others.
PURPOSE:
This policy and procedure is intended to set forth the course of action to be followed by each of the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes when reporting and/or investigating thefts against residents, facility property, employees, and others.
DEFINITIONS:
THEFT - The wrongful taking of, and/or carrying away the personal property of, another.
MAJOR THEFT - Theft of personal property, which is valued in excess of two hundred dollars, ($200.00). A theft of this amount will be reported to the police, to the CEO, and to the Director, Division of Veterans Healthcare Services.
ALLEGED/SUSPECTED THEFT - When a resident, employee, or visitor makes a report of theft.
ALLEGATION - A statement/assertion made by a person without substantial proof.
PROCEDURE:
REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES: (INTERNALLY)
A. All employees shall:
1. Report all alleged thefts to their immediate supervisor as soon as the allegation is made. 2. Cooperate with the investigator(s) and provide written statements, if required, prior to the end of the tour of duty. |
B. The department head/designee or immediate supervisor shall:
1. If appropriate, ensure that an inventory is taken of the area where the alleged theft was committed. 2. Ensure that a statement (written, if possible) is taken from the person making the allegation of theft. 3. Ensure that a statement (written, if possible) is taken from victim of the alleged theft if different from #2 above. 4. Notify the Chief Executive Officer/designee
Monday through Friday 9:00 AM through 4:30 PM, or the Supervisor
of Nursing Services/designee Monday through Friday after 4:30
PM, and on weekends and holidays. |
a. Written statements (if appropriate) from employees on duty and within the area of the alleged theft. b. A copy of the employee’s assignment schedules. c. The initial, completed copy of the Incident Reporting Form, and the staff assignments and statements must be submitted to the CEO/Supervisor of Nursing Services/ designee prior to the end of the tour of duty. |
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6. In the absence of the department head/designee and the supervisor, the person responsible for the unit, program, or service shall initiate the investigation and ensure the completion of all steps identified in Section “B” 7. The facility’s Security Department will be notified immediately of alleged thefts that occur while they are assigned to duty. 8. The Local Police will be notified immediately in all situations of alleged thefts that involve property valued in excess of $200.00. 9. A Social Service Representative will be contacted in all situations that involve residents, and provide assistance if necessary, and as needed, with interviews of residents and assure that their rights are not infringed. |
REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES (EXTERNALLY)
1. The CEO/designee (during normal working hours), or the Supervisor of Nursing Services/designee (after hours, during weekends and holidays) will notify the State/Local Police of all alleged/suspected thefts in excess of $200.00.
2. Notify the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services of all reported criminal activity involving police contact, via the “Reportable Event Record/Report” (AAS-45) within 72 hours.
3. The Division of Veterans Administrative Services will be notified of all alleged thefts reported to the Local Police authorities on the first business day following the incident, with written report(s) to follow within five (5) working days, unless an extension is approved.
4. The Director, Division of Veterans Healthcare Services, will be notified of all alleged thefts reported to the Local Police authorities on the first business day following the incident, with written report(s) to follow within five (5) working days, unless an extension is approved.
Revised: July 2005
ADMINISTRATION - 09-02-010
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