Trying to get a job in Loss Prevention

[RaiderIII]

My question is for those who have worked in Loss Prevention. I am trying to get a job in loss prevention but it seems like everywhere I apply to requires experience, even people I talk to that have worked in LP say where they worked experience was required.

I love law enforcement and aspire to become an LEO one day, but right now I am trying to finish college and work the closest job to law enforcement that I can find which for now seems to be loss prevention.

My question really is, which department/grocery stores are usually the best select for someone with 0 LP experience? I just really, really want a LP job and with this economy it seems that positions will be in favor of those with experience more then someone trying to get a foot in

[PhilipCal]

My question is for those who have worked in Loss Prevention. I am trying to get a job in loss prevention but it seems like everywhere I apply to requires experience, even people I talk to that have worked in LP say where they worked experience was required.

I love law enforcement and aspire to become an LEO one day, but right now I am trying to finish college and work the closest job to law enforcement that I can find which for now seems to be loss prevention.

My question really is, which department/grocery stores are usually the best select for someone with 0 LP experience? I just really, really want a LP job and with this economy it seems that positions will be in favor of those with experience more then someone trying to get a foot in

Okay, absolutely nothing against anyone who works Loss Prevention. That said, working LP will give you no real advantage over an applicant who hasn't worked in that field. You're going to have to test well, and do so in each phase of the hiring process. Bring a good, solid work record to the process. That can be in LP, or just about any other field. Good luck.

[Blue Breed]

^^ He is right!

Just get a job. Doesnt matter what it is. Show up everyday. Dont call in sick. Have a good work ethic. Then when it comes time to move on and you need references your actions will have showed them what kind of person you are. Hopefully they say how wonderful of an employee you are. I was a janitor/maintenance person for 13 months before a police department hired me. I had a bachelors degree and police academy training. Scoring well on police tests is more critical than what jobs you had before your police career.

[just joe]

The above two posters are 100% correct. Just get a job and do it well. It really doesn't matter what it is as long as you are reliable employee.

[nonickname69]

Its really amazing to see a job field (law enforcement) that has very wide spread of people with back grounds that have nothing to do with LE. Everything from computer dorks to teachers can become cops and do.

[toocoldhere11]

Macy's and Sears are good places to start. I started at Macy's (very professional place for LP) and currently work at Sears. Both accept people without experience very often. Just show them (the retail company you are interested in, that is) that you are interested in the field and your main goal is LE. It also doesn't hurt to obtain a security guard liscense. Good luck.

[JI603]

I would say don't do that. IMHO it has no relation to law enforcement. Those guys do a job for a private employer, and kudos to them for it- but do something else. You don't need to 'show that you love law enforcement and your main goal is LE' Get rid of the "cuff 'em and stuff 'em" T-shirts if you have any, live a normal life, and keep an eye out for LE testing notices.

As another poster said, get a typical part time college student job. Work at the bookstore or something, show up on time, do a good job, earn the respect of your supervisor, and get good grades.

Perhaps do an internship, make yourself known to some professors who'll write you a recommendation if you should need it, stay in shape, get on the Dean's list, and study something other than criminal justice. (an academy will teach you everything you need to know)

[btfp]

Many area stores will train you for LP with the holiday season around the corner you may get the door guard job.
That was very important where I worked. It would dissuade those that wanted to smash and grab the jewelry dept. They had to get past the guard.
Thinking of till tapping? Think again, you have to get past the door guard.
Make certain if you are a store detective that you have authority( from the store) to approach the shoplifter. Maybe your policy is to observe and report. Find the store that is right for you.
Do you want to get a knife pulled on you for a $7.99 CD?
Do research on the store first and remember if you did not see it it did not happen.

[RaiderIII]

I'm not really trying to better my future police application by showing I have experience in some form of law enforcement, I just want to work a job that involves helping scum bags get what they deserve.

[orlandofed5-0]

I'm not really trying to better my future police application by showing I have experience in some form of law enforcement, I just want to work a job that involves helping scum bags get what they deserve.

And what is that?

[Xerious]

I worked in LP for 3 years prior to becomming a LEO....I don't regret it, but I don't really recommend it either.

You are better off just applying to be a LEO

[RaiderIII]

Thanks, like I said, I don't want an LP job to make myself look more desirable when i eventually apply to a department, it just has a small aspect of law enforcement to it which attracts me because I am interested in law enforcement.

Thanks for the warning about Kmart/Sears. I do understand those companies are sinking ships in this economy and probably not the best of places to work for. If it takes getting experience though into entry level LP than I am all for it.

How are grocery stores for loss prevention? I have heard the pay isn't so great and the danger is high (which I don't really mind too much, actually adds somewhat of excitement to it).

I heard the pay for Wal-Mart is pretty high and would probably be the most exciting store to work for, but a friend told me before you can apply for an LP position you have to actually work a normal Wal-Mart job for at least 2 years.

[TXDSX]

Well, LP is not really law enforcement. 90% of the time the person doing LP is a security guard which isnt a LEO. In fact I know some agencies look negatively on a applicant that was in the security field. Just something to think about.

[RaiderIII]

That's interesting. Why would they look down on that? I look at LP being a small aspect of law enforcement due to the fact that you can be responsible in the conviction of a felon. Say someone steals over 300$ worth of merch (grand larceny in Virginia) and you catch them in the act and keep them there until the police arrived, you've just got a felony catch. Would departments really look down on that?

[orlandofed5-0]

That's interesting. Why would they look down on that? I look at LP being a small aspect of law enforcement due to the fact that you can be responsible in the conviction of a felon. Say someone steals over 300$ worth of merch (grand larceny in Virginia) and you catch them in the act and keep them there until the police arrived, you've just got a felony catch. Would departments really look down on that?

And most of the time that is pled down to a fine with no jail time in most places.