SH Kress and Company v. Self

OPINION

JACOBSON, Chief Judge of Division 1.

The dispositive question in this appeal is whether any immunity against a charge of defamation is to be extended to a store detective for statements made incident to his detention of suspected shoplifters.

The plaintiff-appellee, Michael L. Self, is a minor and this action is brought by and through his guardian ad litem. Defendant-appellant S. H. Kress and Company owns and operates a department store in Phoenix, Arizona. Defendant-appellant Janovich, a Phoenix police officer, was employed part-time by Kress as a store detective on the date the events…