Thanks to all that have responded to my questions regarding a theft policy.
The question of developing a theft policy has occurred within our museum
because just recently another prominent sports museum had to deal with a
highly publicized theft.  After reading this story many in our staff
wondered how should we handle a major theft if it occurred.

What I'm really looking for is a policy that would help our museum to
discreetly deal with a theft of a cultural resource.  Many in our staff fear
going to the local Police, when a theft occurs because such a theft could
become publicized.  Many fear, however justly or unjustly, a publicized
theft could make our museum a target for other thieves.  I don't know how
much these fears are justified.  If anybody had any insight on going to the
local police, I would greatly appreciate it.



Jason Aikens
Collections Coordinator
Pro Football Hall of Fame
(330) 456-8207

(original message)

I know many curators out there have collection policies but I was wondering
if any museum had a theft policy.  I'm looking to develop a policy that
provides what procedures our museum should follow if a theft of a cultural
resource occurs.  Such a policy would include   whether a museum should
contact the authorities, which authorities should a museum contact, should
an investigation be launched and what would be the procedures in such an
investigation.

If anyone out there has a theft policy, I would appreciate any insight or
ideas you might have for developing such a policy.  I would also greatly
appreciate any samples of theft policies that could be sent to me.

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).