How would a PD see LP jobs, I am assuming negitive?

[soulhydration]

Ok, so here is the deal and a bit of a disclaimer:

I am working in Loss Prevention right now. I enjoy it, however I am little worried how a Police Department might view it. I understand this might vary from PD to PD. I can see the postive and definaltely the negitive.

So I guess what I am fundmently asking "How do PD's view LP work." I have one year in this now, whould guys/gals recommend a different job or stay here for job stablilty sake. Just want some LEO's to weigh in.

DISCLAIMER: I am not the guy who says "Ya, I am a mall nanija, I mean a 'security professional' and I am just like a cop!" I don't think I am a Peace Officer nor do I try to play myself up like one. I am just trying to get through school and feed the fam.

Thanks in advance for your answer which better be good damn it!

[retdetsgt]

Frankly, I never had a problem with them. Everybody's gotta do their job. A few got a little testy with me when I chose to cite rather than jail some of their arrestees, but it wasn't a big deal. Most all of the interactions were professional.

[JD45]

I don't believe any dept would judge you either way based upon you soley working in Loss Prevention. It would depend how you conducted yourself there and what your boss/co-workers had to say about you.

[scott715us]

I come from 3 yrs of LP experience before I became a LEO. For the most part in my area, the LP officers were a little bit more level headed in my opinion. Of course it will depend on the hiring practices of the dept store involved. Some lower level will hire anybody. I worked for Hechts. Our retail chain was originally Castner Knott, with 5 stores in the Nashville TN area and one in Bowling Green, KY. Then we went to Proffitts Inc, and now, it is Hecht's. All stores had similar hiring practices, and for the most part, our LP guys/gals were squared away. I never met anyone from the other locations that had a big head and thought they were someone above LP (police, etc). We worked very well with the local PD and they gave us some good support.

I learned alot and it was my first introduction into the criminal justice system. Going to court testifying on shoplifting cases, etc. I think it was a good experience and gave me alittle head start against those that didn't do that type of work. The big difference with LP was that we were there specifically to deter theft and apprehend those stealing. Mall security officers were there to walk around and be visible. If anyone were to steal from a store, it would be left up to the store and mall security wasn't able to do much with it. I called them a couple of times for manpower, but they really didn't want to get their hands dirty, and I guess they had good reason (lack of training, lawsuit, etc).

[Star]

There is a deputy working for me who was in LP before he came to me. He is one of the very best in the department. Very thorough, alert and professional. My favorite story is when he detained a girl named, "****head" (pronounced Sha-thead) for shoplifting. :D

[soulhydration]

Thanks everyone. Just what I wanted to know.

[mcsap]

If you are good in LP , it can only benefit you. I too was in LP before I became a LEO.

[ChesCopPodz]

I was as well. If you are professional in your work, we won't look down on you. If you are a "mall ninja-cop wannabe- got the CV all decked out patrolling while "off duty" you may be looked at like a nut.

[121Traffic]

Ex-LP here too.

[Babysmamadrama]

I don't think it would be negative. You have already been able to discern body language and because of your observations you can pick up on the little nuances that thieves have. Its good attention to detail. And you have to write an incident about any stops and may be get subpeoned on that as well. So not a problem with me.

[Deputy757]

Add me to the former LP list! Target and Lazarus department stores with some consulting mixed in there as well!

[Gooch]

A few on my department are former LP officers. They say that you learn a lot about peoples habits by watching them so much. You almost have to be a surveillance expert.

[scott715us]

Definitely learn how to read body language. Another good advantage was doing interviews/interrogations on internal theft. I learned alot while nailing employees who stole. ;)

[soulhydration]

Encouraging. Thanks for your responses.