Loss Prevention Officer: What is the cost of hiring?

What is a Loss Prevention Officer?

A Loss Prevention Officer helps reduce theft risks by monitoring for suspicious behavior and ensuring compliance with company policies in retail or distribution settings. These professionals may patrol store floors, review video surveillance, check receipts and report incidents to Managers or Police. They help create a safer, more secure environment for employees and customers.

Why hire a Loss Prevention Officer?

Loss Prevention Officers play a vital role in minimizing theft risks and promoting a secure environment for shoppers, staff or other clients. A successful Loss Prevention Officer can help you reduce costs, support compliance and respond proactively to incidents.

Contributions of a great Loss Prevention Officer:

• Better detection of internal and external theft risks
• Support for safety and emergency response
• Accurate incident reporting 

Defining your hiring needs for Loss Prevention Officers

When hiring a Loss Prevention Officer, consider your hours of operation, risk level and coverage needs. Businesses that stay open late or manage high-value merchandise may benefit from full-time or overnight staff, while smaller retail locations may only need part-time support during peak hours.

It’s important to define whether the role involves physically monitoring an area, the use of surveillance equipment or incident reporting. If your security needs are broader, you might want to evaluate candidates for roles such as Security Officer or Security Guard.

What are the types of Loss Prevention Officers?

Loss Prevention Officers can focus on different areas of retail or organizational security, from in-store monitoring to data analysis. Types of Loss Prevention Officers include:

• Overt Loss Prevention Officers: These employees maintain a visible presence in stores to help deter theft. They also usually respond quickly to incidents, either working to stop them in real time or gathering information to make accurate reports.
• Covert Loss Prevention Officers: These professionals work in plain clothes to fit in with customers. They observe shopper behavior to identify potential fraud or theft and report it.
• Loss Prevention Investigators: These employees conduct investigations to identify theft or fraud or find the cause of it. They may analyze inventory records and conduct interviews. 
• Asset Protection Associates: These professionals oversee physical security systems and enforce store or site policies regarding theft or inventory use.

When writing your Loss Prevention Officer job description, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting. These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on Loss Prevention Officer jobs, according to Indeed data.

• Security
• Security Officer
• Public health
• Loss prevention
• Security guard
• Overnight
• Unarmed Security Guard
• Hotel

Want more hiring insights for your Loss Prevention Officer? Sign in or create your free Indeed account.

Where to find Loss Prevention Officers

To hire a Loss Prevention Officer, you need to understand where to source candidates. You can find these professionals through security job boards, retail and hospitality networks, criminal justice programs and internal referrals.

To find the right Loss Prevention Officer for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

• Internal promotions: Evaluate current store associates or team leads who have strong attention to detail and a record of following security procedures.
• Security recruitment firms: Specialized agencies often have access to candidates with law enforcement or retail security backgrounds who are looking for loss prevention positions.
• Networking: Reach out to professional groups or retail associations that include loss prevention professionals.
• Social media: Post your open role on company social media accounts, and consider sharing job details in community groups or job boards focused on retail or security.
• Post your job online: Try posting your Loss Prevention Officer job on Indeed to find and attract candidates.

Skills to look for in a Loss Prevention Officer

A successful Loss Prevention Officer candidate will typically have the following skills and competencies, which may be gained through a variety of experiences, training or education:

• Experience monitoring CCTV systems and conducting floor patrols to prevent theft 
• Proficiency in incident reporting software and documenting loss events accurately
• Knowledge of retail operations, including merchandise handling, access control and store opening/closing procedures
• Ability to detain individuals safely and according to company policy and applicable laws
• Familiarity with data analysis tools or point-of-sale systems to identify patterns of shrinkage
• Strong verbal communication skills for de-escalating situations and coordinating with law enforcement
• Attention to detail in reviewing logs, receipts and transaction histories for potential theft 

Writing a Loss Prevention Officer job description

Now that you know the key skills, salary expectations, popular job seeker search terms and hiring insights for a Loss Prevention Officer, you’re ready to write a job description.

A Loss Prevention Officer job description typically includes a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities and the required and preferred skills for the position. You may also want to include information about your company culture, benefits and perks to attract candidates to your open role.

Ready to get started? Check out our full guide for writing Loss Prevention job descriptions.

Interviewing Loss Prevention Officer candidates

Strong candidates for Loss Prevention Officer positions will be confident answering questions about:

• Monitoring store environments for suspicious behavior
• Responding appropriately to theft or emergency situations
• Using surveillance tools and documenting incidents accurately
• Understanding inventory control and shrinkage reduction practices
• Communicating effectively with team members and law enforcement