Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery
PROCEDURE FOR INITIAL HANDLING OF INCIDENT, RECOVERY OF MATERIALS, AND REPORTING
This guideline assumes the procedures outlined in guideline 431 have been followed. Having given an exiting person the benefit of the doubt after they have set off the exit alarm, they have been found to possess:
Such circumstances will lead you, as a reasonable person, to believe there is probable cause that the person intended to steal the State property in question. This is an apparent criminal violation of Maryland Code, Article 23 §308 "Theft or mutilation of books or other property." Follow the steps below.
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FYI re subsequent disposition of cases involving UMBC students [section supercedes former guideline 433]:
* UMBC student judicial referral
UMBC Police officers responding to such incidents of apparent attempted theft may refer enrolled UMBC students to the UMBC student judicial system for internal adjudication and appropriate restitution. In such cases, the student may be assigned to perform community service at UMBC. To avoid "interested" prosecution and potential conflict of interest this community service is not to be done in the Library. This guideline also prevents the student from gaining further possible acquaintance with the Tattletape system.
* criminal prosecution
Depending on the specific circumstances (including but not limited to value of materials in question, degree of cooperation, assessment of intent, etc.) the UMBC Police may also initiate criminal proceedings consistent with campus standards. It is library practice to rely on the judgment of the responding campus police officer(s) and their superiors in this decision.
References: MD. Code, Article 23, §308
previously implemented guideline revised 10/7/94
revised 10/04/02, 3/5/03 to reflect current Police procedures; edited 7/30/09