What does a loss prevention officer do?
A loss prevention officer is a part of a security team who tends to the security of a retail store. Loss prevention officers prevent theft in the store and assist the establishment with theft prevention plans and policies. Typically, they monitor the store's surveillance cameras then walk around for security. They are expected to have a strong will to place themselves in dangerous situations to maintain public safety. It is also their responsibility to determine stock shortages and report missing merchandise.
Loss prevention officer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real loss prevention officer resumes:
- Manage foreclosure and bankruptcy from inception to completion and mitigate all potential losses within an acceptable range.
- Certify in CPR as well as self-defense training including the use of pepper spray.
- Review surveillance footage, POS data, and audio of clients operations for theft and operational deficiencies.
- Conduct weekly audits in order to ensure merchandise of a certain dollar amount is properly tag EAS tags.
- Conduct store, maintenance, safety, and electronic article surveillance (EAS) audits, and 801E audits.
- Prepare documentation and analyze data through exception reporting, POS systems, GL, and various other resources and systems.
- Collaborate with police and court authorities, as well as regional and corporate level investigators in matters leading to prosecutions.
- Interview witnesses or suspects to identify persons responsible for security breaches, establish losses, pursue prosecutions, or obtain restitution.
- Provide safety facility operating procedures in accordance to OSHA standards.
- Monitor and implement safety, OSHA and environmental programs throughout the facility.
- Conduct routine floor patrol to investigate and report crisis situations and criminal activity.
- Used CCTV security systems and learned important observation techniques while monitoring for shoplifters.
- Patrol the interior and perimeter of the property to observe and identify potential safety and/or security risks and/or undesirable conditions.
- Operate forklift, electric pallet jack, order pulling
- Implement and monitor all programs for loss prevention, safety and HazMat.
Loss prevention officer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 20% of Loss Prevention Officers are proficient in Patrol, Loss Prevention, and Good Judgment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Physical strength, and Good judgment.
We break down the percentage of Loss Prevention Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patrol, 20%
Patrol property and facilities to ensure compliance with safety and security regulations.
- Loss Prevention, 11%
Conducted daily loss prevention and safety inspections throughout the property to ensure effective security operations and compliance with safety standards.
- Good Judgment, 9%
Detected and apprehended shoplifters following company policy and guidelines; exercising good judgment and making decisions under pressure.
- Emergency Situations, 7%
Follow property specific procedures for handling emergency situations (evacuations, medical emergencies, natural disasters).
- Relevant Parties, 6%
Conducted investigations to gather evidence, interviewing the relevant parties.
- Incident Reports, 6%
Detected and apprehended shoplifters, remained with suspects until police arrived, completed and organized detailed incident reports.
Most loss prevention officers use their skills in "patrol," "loss prevention," and "good judgment" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential loss prevention officer responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a loss prevention officer to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "fire inspectors must notice minutiae when inspecting sites for code violations or fire risks or for investigating the cause of a fire." Loss prevention officers often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "receive and report confidential details to regional loss prevention director and area loss prevention manager to assist internal investigations. "
Physical strength. Many loss prevention officer duties rely on physical strength. "fire investigators may have to move debris at the site of a fire in order to get a more accurate understanding of the scene.," so a loss prevention officer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways loss prevention officer responsibilities rely on physical strength: "implemented and executed diverse external loss prevention techniques such as surveillance and undercover activities, undercover operations, and physical deterrents. "
Communication skills. Another common skill required for loss prevention officer responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of loss prevention officers all the time, as "fire inspectors must clearly explain fire code violations to building and property managers." An excerpt from a real loss prevention officer resume shows how this skill is central to what a loss prevention officer does: "maintained communication with the district loss prevention leader on physical security threats, shrinkage and theft related topics. "
The three companies that hire the most loss prevention officers are:
- Marriott International207 loss prevention officers jobs
- Kohl's53 loss prevention officers jobs
- 1st Security Bank20 loss prevention officers jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable loss prevention officer resume templates
Build a professional loss prevention officer resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your loss prevention officer resume.
Compare different loss prevention officers
Loss prevention officer vs. Deputy
The duties of a deputy vary on their line of work or place of employment. In law enforcement, a deputy is primarily in charge of conducting investigations on crimes and arresting criminals, performing regular patrols on streets, responding to calls of distress, and assisting citizens in calamities, disasters, accidents, or any forms of threat. There are also instances when a deputy must serve court documents, transport detainees or suspected criminals, and monitor courtrooms. Furthermore, a deputy reports to higher-ranking officers such as a sheriff.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, loss prevention officer responsibilities require skills like "loss prevention," "good judgment," "relevant parties," and "surveillance equipment." Meanwhile a typical deputy has skills in areas such as "public safety," "transport inmates," "federal laws," and "motor vehicle." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Deputies really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $53,877. Comparatively, loss prevention officers tend to make the most money in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $34,479.deputies tend to reach higher levels of education than loss prevention officers. In fact, deputies are 10.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.5% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Loss prevention officer vs. Detective
A detective is responsible for conducting in-depth investigations for criminal activities, potential threats, and other law-violating incidents, coordinating closely with law-enforcement agencies and crime intelligence analysts. Detectives often work on the field, gathering data and related evidence to support claims and connect the timeline of events. They keep an organized record of their findings for further validation before reporting it to the authority. A detective must have excellent investigative and critical-thinking skills, especially on solving puzzles and security solutions.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real loss prevention officer resumes. While loss prevention officer responsibilities can utilize skills like "loss prevention," "good judgment," "emergency situations," and "relevant parties," detectives use skills like "physical evidence," "crime scenes," "insurance fraud," and "public safety."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Detectives tend to reach higher levels of education than loss prevention officers. In fact, they're 6.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Loss prevention officer vs. Police cadet
Police cadets require multiple police department-relevant skills in traffic control, police reports, public safety, and special events. Those who choose this career will be responsible for participating in training programs that will introduce them to the fundamentals of law enforcement and prepare them for becoming police officers, supporting police operations like traffic control, working on criminal investigation, and performing administrative duties at the station.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from loss prevention officer resumes include skills like "loss prevention," "good judgment," "relevant parties," and "surveillance equipment," whereas a police cadet is more likely to list skills in "traffic control," "public safety," "police academy," and "parking enforcement. "
Police cadets earn the highest salary when working in the government industry, where they receive an average salary of $38,178. Comparatively, loss prevention officers have the highest earning potential in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $34,479.Most police cadets achieve a similar degree level compared to loss prevention officers. For example, they're 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Loss prevention officer vs. Criminal investigator
A criminal investigator is a law enforcement professional who endeavors to solve felony crimes. Criminal investigators may work alone or as a member of an investigative team whose goal is to uncover the certainty of a case and potentially keep suspects to prevent the ensuing criminal activity. Their tasks and responsibilities depend on various job functions and specialties. They may specialize in the information and evidence of a crime scene, conduct interviews and searches, or perform surveillance.
Types of loss prevention officer
Updated January 8, 2025
