WEST DES MOINES — As part of its ongoing efforts to ensure the health and safety of both its customers and employees, Hy-Vee is introducing its new Hy-Vee Retail Security team to retail stores across its eight-state region.
Hy-Vee Retail Security officers will be present in Hy-Vee stores during operating hours. These officers, many of whom come from a law enforcement background, are specially trained to defuse situations and equipped to protect the safety of both Hy-Vee customers and employees. The officers have been through training designed by Hy-Vee retail security leaders alongside law enforcement partners.
“Hy-Vee has a strong history of doing anything for our customers, and these officers will be held to that same standard,” said Jeremy Gosch, Hy-Vee’s president and chief operating officer. “These officers will help provide another layer of safety and security for our customers, and will work alongside our store employees to deliver the same helpful smiles and outstanding service everyone expects at their local store.”
Officers are in several stores now, and more officers are completing the Hy-Vee Retail Security Training program so they can begin serving in other Hy-Vee stores across the company’s eight-state region in the near future. Hy-Vee is actively recruiting for officers to join the new Hy-Vee Retail Security team. Interested applicants can connect with the Retail Security team at RetailSecurity@hy-vee.com.
According to video released on social media, the “security officers” appear to be armed possibly with guns, tasers, cameras and other crime-fighting equipment. When would they shoot? No one knows for sure, except Hy-Vee, possibly.
This well-armed militia may have saved our local Mason City police some hassle in past incidents where various alleged lawbreakers took advantage of the friendly “helpful smile in every aisle” and attempted to help themselves to free merchandise, including:
A woman who tried to steal chocolate egg nog and a mixer from Hy-Vee
A woman allegedly threw a drunken fit at Hy-Vee
Klemme kleptos caught by cops stealing at Hy-Vee
Quick change scam artist hits Hy-Vee
Right or wrong? Local man has blunt message for police with profanity-laced jacket at Hy-Vee
Two Charles City women arrested after booze theft at grocery store
Hy-Vee, Inc., is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 285 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of more than $12 billion annually; they also hold ultra-conservative gatherings on their corporate grounds in West Des Moines.
