Security Loss Prevention Job Description
The job of a security loss prevention officer is wide-ranging. Jobs include retail security officers, loss prevention officers assigned to protect property, hotel security officers or even security officers who become chiefs of operations, a supervisory role. The most common, if not most visible, security position is a loss prevention officer in a retail outlet.
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Background
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The loss prevention industry has evolved over the decades from a uniformed security guard assigned to protect buildings or property to personnel employing sophisticated monitoring equipment. Closed circuit televisions and sensory equipment can easily detect items, such as clothing, being removed from a retail establishment. These are now common tools of the trade. Salaries are relatively low but rise steadily with advanced education and supervisory responsibilities.
Duties
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At the lowest level of the profession, a security loss prevention officer detects and apprehends shoplifters, monitors customers to anticipate potential thefts and writes investigative reports, according to Careerbuilder.com. Security officers may be required to attend court hearings to testify in criminal cases. At a regional or supervisory level, a security loss prevention officer may direct investigations into employee/customer theft, inspect retail outlets or corporate offices for security breaches, conduct training sessions, and ensure that employees adhere to safety and security procedures and policies.
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Education and Requirements
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A high school diploma is required to be a security loss prevention officer in a retail outlet. Some employers accept experience in lieu of a high school education or formal security training. Supervisor and regional positions may require a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field, up to five years experience in loss prevention, and knowledge of criminal and civil law. All security officers, no matter what level they are employed, must be free of criminal convictions related to theft or dishonesty. Travel for supervisors is often required. State certification also is required by most employers.
Environment
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Officers may be required to work any shift. The job may require physical exertion. Some positions require standing during the entire shift or sitting in a small room to monitor closed circuit televisions. The job requires interaction with the public, sometimes covert. Nighttime shifts require working alone with little activity. Supervisory shifts may require a lot of sitting or little physical activity. Industrial complexes may have high noise levels. Construction sites, which often employ security officers, may be dirty and expose the employee to adverse weather.
Salary
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Salaries range from $20,000 to $100,000 per year, according to Indeed.com. Chief operating officers in charge of a security company that contracts its work to corporations can earn in excess of $100,000 annually. Many entry-level security loss prevention positions start at minimum wage. Wages are generally increased to about $10 per hour after successfully completing a probationary period. On-call employees are paid a slightly higher rate.
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References
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- Photo Credit Security Camera image by JK from Fotolia.com
