Occupation
Loss prevention officer
Reduces theft and internal loss in retail and warehouse settings by monitoring the floor and camera systems, investigating suspected incidents, and working with police when charges are pursued. Much of the role is evidence-quality observation, careful documentation, and knowing the limits of what a civilian may lawfully do.
Also known as: Asset protection officer · Store detective · Retail security investigator
Occupation content
Part of Public safety, defence and emergency response
What the work involves
- Observe the sales floor in uniform or plain clothes for suspicious activity
- Review camera footage and point-of-sale records to confirm what happened
- Detain suspects only where company policy and law permit, then hand over to police
- Prepare incident files, statements, and exhibits for prosecution
- Audit stockroom and cash-handling procedures and recommend controls
How people commonly enter
- Promotion from a retail or security guard role with employer-provided training
- Security licence plus an employer loss-prevention certification program
- College certificate in loss prevention, security, or criminal justice
Typical training: Short course or on-the-job training
Licensing: Regulated in some jurisdictions — confirm the current requirement with the regulator in your province, state, or country.
Typical work context
Public facing · Shift work · Works independently · Varied work
Related interests
Investigative (analytical) · Realistic (hands-on) · Conventional (organizing)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Public safety, defence and emergency response.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- O*NET OnLine — occupation search: Loss prevention · United States
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- Canada Job Bank — Explore careers index (Loss prevention officer) · Canada
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- UK National Careers Service — Explore careers index (Store detective) · United Kingdom
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Public safety, defence and emergency response in Canada, not a figure for Loss prevention officer. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Public safety, defence and emergency response family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Public safety, defence and emergency response: education pathways
Some roles in Public safety, defence and emergency response may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Public safety, defence and emergency response: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
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