Developing collaborative partnerships to combat organized retail crime is one of the most compelling and productive ways that retailers and law enforcement can impact the effects that organized retail crime networks of all types are having on the retail community and society as a whole. None of us independently have adequate resources to effectively battle the countless means by which organized retail crime can impact our businesses and our communities. We must work together. We must combine our efforts and our resources; reaching out and developing collaborative relationships with our retail and law enforcement partners while building cooperation and sharing intelligence to quell the damage and shut down these operations. Every possible avenue should be explored, and every stone overturned as we look for answers.
The following resources are available to assist investigators with networking opportunities, investigative support, and a wealth of opportunities to support our collaborative efforts to combat organized retail crime.
Organized Retail Crime Associations (ORCAs)
In response to the scope and severity of organized retail crime concerns across the country, there has been an increased effort on the part of retailers and law enforcement agencies to share information regarding organized retail crime at the local, state, and regional levels. As a result, the number of organized retail crime associations (ORCAs) has grown steadily in recent years, with a primary emphasis on assisting law enforcement, retail investigators, and prosecutors with the identification, investigation, and prosecution of those involved in organized retail crime.
For a complete list and to learn more about organized retail crime associations, go to LPM’s complete list of organized retail crime associations.
Professional Associations
A wide array of professional associations are at our disposal that are dedicated to the retail loss prevention industry, each of which will offer various programs and events that provide training seminars, product/vendor demonstrations, networking opportunities, social gatherings and charity events. These associations provide a wealth of information and tremendous opportunities for the loss prevention professional.
Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Membership includes retailers, product manufacturers, and solution providers. Promoting the importance of access to company leaders, RILA provides a forum for member companies to share their success factors and information, establish relationships, solve industry problems, and work together for the benefit of the consumer and the retail industry.
National Retail Federation (NRF) A retail trade association with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution, the NRF represents department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores, chain restaurants, drug stores and grocery stores as well as the industry’s key trading partners of retail goods and services. In addition, the NRF also has research and education arms, as well as a monthly magazine.
Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Representing food retailers and wholesalers, FMI develops and promotes policies, programs and forums; conducts research and provides education supporting its members and their customers in the areas of Government Relations, Food Safety and Defense, Public and Consumer Information, Research and Education, and Industry Cooperation.
Restaurant Loss Prevention and Security Association (RLPSA) RLPSA is a community of restaurant loss prevention professionals focused on helping its members minimize losses and reduce liabilities to positively impact company profitability. The goal of RLPSA is to make members more efficient and successful in their jobs by serving as the “go-to” resource for restaurant-industry loss prevention and security expertise. RLPSA provides professional development opportunities designed to meet the specific interests and concerns of restaurant-industry professionals, and advocate for regulations that will make workplaces more safe and secure.
Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) The JSA is a non-profit trade association that provides crime information and assistance to the jewelry industry and our law enforcement partners. Its mission is to inform and alert jewelers regarding jewelry related crime while providing education, training seminars and consulting activities. JSA also works closely with various law enforcement agencies, sharing data and analysis to further efforts against jewelry-related crimes.
National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) The purpose of NACDS is to represent the chain drug companies through their programs and services, which include education, business support, and developing and promoting policies and programs that are aimed at improving distribution and operational efficiencies.
Retail Council of Canada (RCC) – The Retail Council of Canada is a not-for-profit, industry-funded association representing stores of all retail formats across Canada, including department, specialty, discount, independent stores, and online merchants. A strong advocate for retailing throughout Canada, the RCC works with the retail community, vendor partners and all levels of government to advance and protect the retail community and the interests of society as a whole. RCC supports a full range of services and programs including education and training, benchmarking and best practices, research, networking, advocacy, and industry information.
American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) International ASIS International is an organization dedicated to increasing the effectiveness and productivity of security professionals covering a broad spectrum of security professions. By developing educational programs and materials that address broad security interests, as well as specific security topics, ASIS also advocates the role and value of the security management profession to business, the media, governmental entities, and the public. In addition, ASIS publishes a monthly magazine.
International Supply Chain Protection Organization (ISCPO) The International Supply Chain Protection Organization is a professional association of supply chain, cargo transportation and security professionals founded to promote a global, collaborative effort of networking for security and loss prevention professionals. The organization’s membership supports a wide variety of business entities, whose main commonality is using the global supply chain for transportation of goods and services. Committed to assuring the safe and secure movement of the nation’s commerce, ISCPO creates a robust communication system for networking between private and public sectors, partners with leading professionals and organizations to better understand the needs of the global supply chain business.
International Organization of Black Security Executives (IOBSE) Established to create an international network for minority security professionals, the mission of the IOBSE is to represent, support, and promote the security and loss prevention industries by providing professional resources, educating minorities on the careers and opportunities in loss prevention/security management, promote and aid in the exchange of information, ideas, experience and knowledge, and to provide educational training and career mentoring opportunities.
National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP) A private organization whose mission is to raise public awareness about the harmful effects of shoplifting on youth, families and communities, the NASP conducts research and offers communities technical assistance, training, education, prevention and rehabilitation programs. NASP provides programs and technical support on all aspects of retail theft.
National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) The National Crime Prevention Council helps people keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe from crime. The NCPC provides publications, community programs, training sessions and public service announcements that can used to learn crime prevention strategies and offer a wide variety of publications. NCPC also offers a monthly newsletter (NCPC Catalyst) with information on related topics.
State Retail Associations
State retail associations offer a valuable resource for retailers across the nation and can prove to be an important advocate in the fight against organized retail crime. Providing a forum for retail public policy and government relations activity, these associations offer a shared voice to help retailers of all sizes with questions, concerns, and ideas on the important issues that are affecting the retail industry.
For a complete list and to learn more about these state retail associations and the role they play in support of the retail industry, go to LPM’s comprehensive list of state retail associations.
Law Enforcement Agencies
USACOPS provides a complete list of contact information for law enforcement agencies across the country. Updated on a regular basis, this exceptional resource allows users to access agencies by state, county, and municipality. For a complete list and to learn more, go to www.usacops.com.