Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    5

    Default Tips for Loss Prevention Personnel

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Michigan

    I am relatively new to the retailside of shoplifting but seeing as I now work for the world's largest retailer as an APA, I probably need to know what I am doing. I readily acknowledge they will provide the basics, but whenever it happens where I have to pursue and potentially confront any shoplifters I'd better be as sure as possible in what I can say do and document everything. I've read the forums in here already and requested several books via my local library I will read when they arrive.

    Any potential tips/suggestions/lessons from ones own experience? If this is the wrong forum within this site I apologize, I figured it kinda belonged here as the people helping in legal cases may also help MAKE them.

  2. #2

    Default Re: Tips for Loss Prevention Personnel


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Tips for Loss Prevention Personnel

    but whenever it happens where I have to pursue and potentially confront any shoplifters I'd better be as sure as possible in what I can say do and document everything.
    they are going to give you more than "the basics". They are going to have some hard fast rules to abide by. Their personnel, including store management, has very little discretion in how things get done.

    If it's not in their operations manual, you don't do it.

    Hey Security consultant,

    I went to that site and the first thread was about some guy getting caught at a Macy's and when I went to watch that one, I watched on about a kid nabbed at a Best Buy. In both, there were a lot of bystanders who, quite bluntly, were being idiots. In the Macy's one, the video man was talking about the LP wanting to break the guys neck. In the BB one, there was a couple females that were yelling about how egregious the LP's actions were.

    I presume, in both, the nabs were valid.

    Anyway, is that typical? Are bystanders always siding with the criminals like that? While I have seen some overly aggressive LP's do some dumb stuff, generally I believe they are just doing what they need to do. It's pretty bad when people want to stand up for the criminals.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Tips for Loss Prevention Personnel

    Quote Quoting jk
    View Post
    Anyway, is that typical? Are bystanders always siding with the criminals like that? While I have seen some overly aggressive LP's do some dumb stuff, generally I believe they are just doing what they need to do. It's pretty bad when people want to stand up for the criminals.
    I had worked Loss Prevention for about 10 years and fortunately for me, i never had a bad apprehension (bad stop). But I have seen some bystanders side with the assaliant, but also the other way as well. With Loss Prevention agents, I cant speak for all but when you go to stop someone, you have a major rush of adrenaline but you need to keep focused and prepared. Some cant focus and play cowboy. I always went with 5 signs:
    1. see them enter the department
    2. See a selection and can identify it
    3. See a concealment
    4. 100% visibility on the person (There are people who "act" like they shoplift in order for the agent to make a bad stop, so they can make money for compensation)
    5. Leave the store or pass all points of payment, based on your state, county and local prosecutor. I have had some say, stop them when they touch the door, others when they get outside.

    just my opinion.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    9,096

    Default Re: Tips for Loss Prevention Personnel

    JK, I have come to understand that when a shoplifter is caught, there is a certain percentage of the population that believes it is a multi billion dollar company picking on a poor person that needs the money that the retailer could afford to lose.

    In certain cases I have been personally involved in, it felt more like an alternative high school drama departments rendition of "Animal Farm" than a thief being apprehended.

    This is why it is important to remove the thief from the floor and into a back room as quickly as humanly possible.

    Having said that, of course there are LP's out there that have acted improperly. Every job has people in it that shouldn't be.

    Most are just doing a necessary job. After all, if Wally didn't protect the merchandise, a dozen eggs would cost $27 to cover the thefts.

  6. #6

    Default Re: Tips for Loss Prevention Personnel

    Quote Quoting jk
    View Post
    they are going to give you more than "the basics". They are going to have some hard fast rules to abide by. Their personnel, including store management, has very little discretion in how things get done.

    If it's not in their operations manual, you don't do it.

    Hey Security consultant,

    I went to that site and the first thread was about some guy getting caught at a Macy's and when I went to watch that one, I watched on about a kid nabbed at a Best Buy. In both, there were a lot of bystanders who, quite bluntly, were being idiots. In the Macy's one, the video man was talking about the LP wanting to break the guys neck. In the BB one, there was a couple females that were yelling about how egregious the LP's actions were.

    I presume, in both, the nabs were valid.

    Anyway, is that typical? Are bystanders always siding with the criminals like that? While I have seen some overly aggressive LP's do some dumb stuff, generally I believe they are just doing what they need to do. It's pretty bad when people want to stand up for the criminals.
    I was really directing the OP to the that forum in particular as it is a discussion site for LP people.

    As to answer your question - bystanders siding with the thief happens when they don't understand what is going on and they didn't catch the part when LP properly identified themselves.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Tips for Loss Prevention Personnel

    =Security Consultant;493138]I was really directing the OP to the that forum in particular as it is a discussion site for LP people.
    I know but unless a site is secured, anybody with a computer can read the postings. If they don't want certified LP folks viewing the site, you might tell them to improve their security.

    As to answer your question - bystanders siding with the thief happens when they don't understand what is going on and they didn't catch the part when LP properly identified themselves.
    In one of the videos, the LP guys were wearing clothing that identified them. In the other one, there were 4 or 5 LP's and it was quite obvious they were LP.

    It just seems quite ignorant to take the side of the suspected criminal unless they are very certain the guy was not shoplifting. It also seems like there is a possibility of outsider intervention and it becoming a much worse situation. Mob rule can get nasty, just ask the Egyptians.

  8. #8

    Default Re: Tips for Loss Prevention Personnel

    Quote Quoting jk
    View Post
    I know but unless a site is secured, anybody with a computer can read the postings. If they don't want certified LP folks viewing the site, you might tell them to improve their security.

    In one of the videos, the LP guys were wearing clothing that identified them. In the other one, there were 4 or 5 LP's and it was quite obvious they were LP.

    It just seems quite ignorant to take the side of the suspected criminal unless they are very certain the guy was not shoplifting. It also seems like there is a possibility of outsider intervention and it becoming a much worse situation. Mob rule can get nasty, just ask the Egyptians.
    JK - It's not meant to be a secured site, anyone can view it. Posters are urged not to post their company. I directed the OP to the site as there is a lot of information for a new LP to glean from the site - that was all.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    6,808

    Default Re: Tips for Loss Prevention Personnel

    From having worked retail and also being a customer....

    - HOW TO MAKE IT TOO OBVIOUS YOU ARE LP:
    - It's winter. It's cold. You are not wearing a jacket/coat, nor carrying one.
    - If you're a woman....a small purse or wallet, and an item easy to toss down to make an apprehension makes you look like you really are another shopper....
    - Some people while "peeking around corners" are TOO obvious. I'd think you'd want to look like you were examining that tube of toothpaste.....I have seen it where the LP was obvious to everyone coming towards that aisle.
    - Try to be more discreet when exiting a stores backroom.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Tips for Loss Prevention Personnel

    Quote Quoting Security Consultant
    View Post
    The link is appreciated, but if anyone here can approve posting privileges there it would be appreciated. Have a couple questions and cant post til approved.

    Thanks again for the helpful link, I'm looking to learn as much as I can so I can be more comfortable as a LP member.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: About Retail Loss Prevention
    By kevek in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 03-12-2011, 12:48 PM
  2. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Ask a Loss Prevention Manager
    By fight or flight LP in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 45
    Last Post: 05-04-2006, 05:00 PM
  3. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: I work in Loss Prevention...
    By dontstealLOL in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 38
    Last Post: 04-25-2006, 05:01 PM
  4. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Applying For Loss Prevention Job
    By SecurityDog in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 03-14-2006, 05:57 AM
  5. Loss Prevention interview
    By 2boxerfamily in forum Employment and Labor
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 01-28-2005, 08:20 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources