Have you ever been a suspect in a crime at your place of work?

[hotflashion, BSN, RN]

Has anyone had this happen? I got a call from the police in the town where the facility I USED to work at is located. They are talking to all the employees (all the employees? all the direct care employees? not sure what kind of employees constitute "all") who worked that day. I've never been considered a suspect in any crime, and when I was told I was a suspect and read my Miranda Rights, I was taken aback. I decided not to talk to the police until after I'd talked to a lawyer. I've talked to a couple. Also have a call into someone I know who used to be a cop, to get their perspective. I don't want to be unhelpful, but I also don't want to say something that could, in some unforeseeable and unimaginable way, be used against me.

This was in an assisted living residence. One of the lawyers I talked to said investigations are common at ALRs.

Has this happened to you and what did you do? Did your employer stand by you or were you "on your own"? (I don't expect anything from my former employer, but it does make me wonder how employers treat employees who are suspected of a crime.)

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

I think you are handling it in a very smart way.

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

Get a lawyer. They are not your friend nor have your interests at heart. SCARY. Good luck.

[amoLucia]

Also, keep your conversations restricted to a minimun of people on a need-to-know basis. Likewise, avoid postings on the media.

[hotflashion, BSN, RN]

I don't know if I'm smart, but I'm following the lawyers advice: don't talk. I have the desire to be helpful and know that I have done nothing wrong (in this instance), so it is difficult to refuse help. The incident was alarming but I also believe (perhaps because I am innocent) that my being listed as a suspect is pro forma; I happened to be on duty that day.

I was hoping to hear from others who have had this experience.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

The first thing I would do is stop posting about this anywhere on the INternet. One of the questions you will be asked will be whether you have discussed this with anyone at all, blogged about it or commented on it in a public forum.