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Loss prevention agent vs community services officer

The differences between loss prevention agents and community services officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a community services officer has an average salary of $38,039, which is higher than the $36,455 average annual salary of a loss prevention agent.

The top three skills for a loss prevention agent include loss prevention, store management and sales floor. The most important skills for a community services officer are patrol, public safety, and traffic control.

Loss prevention agent vs community services officer overview

Loss Prevention AgentCommunity Services Officer
Yearly salary$36,455$38,039
Hourly rate$17.53$18.29
Growth rate6%3%
Number of jobs103,534181,257
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age3340
Years of experience--

What does a loss prevention agent do?

A loss prevention agent is responsible for averting theft and securing a retail store or similar establishment. They are primarily in charge of monitoring surveillance cameras and roaming around the premises while dressed in civilian clothing, all to observe the surroundings and spot any suspicious behavior. Furthermore, a loss prevention agent must adhere to the policies and standards of the establishment, implement safety and security measures, and coordinate with the police should there be any person caught stealing.

What does a community services officer do?

Community service offers or CSO support in crime response, investigation, and prevention where police powers are not necessary. The community service officers assist the police officers in terms of upholding order and law in the community. They provide citizens with customer service, community outreach, and patrol. It is their job to implement city codes and other non-criminal police associated duties. They provide non-EMS in-home and on-site assistance to the citizens. Also, they respond to non-criminal complaints, building checks, and more.

Loss prevention agent vs community services officer salary

Loss prevention agents and community services officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Loss Prevention AgentCommunity Services Officer
Average salary$36,455$38,039
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $62,000Between $27,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityUrban Honolulu, HISeattle, WA
Highest paying stateVirginiaWashington
Best paying companyComplianceCity of Los Angeles
Best paying industryRetailEducation

Differences between loss prevention agent and community services officer education

There are a few differences between a loss prevention agent and a community services officer in terms of educational background:

Loss Prevention AgentCommunity Services Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - BakersfieldUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Loss prevention agent vs community services officer demographics

Here are the differences between loss prevention agents' and community services officers' demographics:

Loss Prevention AgentCommunity Services Officer
Average age3340
Gender ratioMale, 72.8% Female, 27.2%Male, 56.1% Female, 43.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 4.2% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 2.9% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between loss prevention agent and community services officer duties and responsibilities

Loss prevention agent example responsibilities.

  • Manage foreclosure and bankruptcy from inception to completion and mitigate all potential losses within an acceptable range.
  • Perform camera surveillance and patrol the assigned store and assign location while ensuring to maintain a safe and secure store environment.
  • Conduct surveillance and counter-surveillance to detect and apprehend shoplifters, and other criminal activity utilizing CCTV.
  • Patrol assign facility areas to enforce rules and regulations.
  • Operate and monitor security control and access control devices using CCTV, life/safety alarms and systems alerting the necessary authority.
  • Protect company's assets by utilizing state-of-the-art detection and investigation surveillance system, which identify shoplifters and prevent loss of merchandise.

Community services officer example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage firearms training programs, including weapons selection and qualification standards.
  • Monitor alarms & CCTV, patrol campus, secure buildings, dorms and offer safety escorts to students & faculty.
  • Apply first aid and CPR.
  • Monitor and control CCTV's.
  • Assist law enforcement officers in looking up information on the NCIC.
  • Train in first aid and defensive driving, certify in CPR and EAD.
  • Show more

Loss prevention agent vs community services officer skills

Common loss prevention agent skills
  • Loss Prevention, 14%
  • Store Management, 12%
  • Sales Floor, 10%
  • CCTV, 10%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Internal Investigations, 5%
Common community services officer skills
  • Patrol, 18%
  • Public Safety, 14%
  • Traffic Control, 10%
  • Parking Enforcement, 4%
  • Criminal Justice, 4%
  • Animal Control, 4%

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