How to Legally Establish Loss Prevention at Your Retail Store

If you own or manage a retail store, a loss prevention department is almost a necessity. It helps not only to catch shoplifters in action, but also to prevent the situation entirely. When you have a person or persons dedicated entirely to security, your loss prevention efforts will significantly reduce the amount of merchandise that "walks" out of your retail store. Following are a few tips on how to do this legally.

Observe Privacy Laws

Loss prevention is a great way to catch and deter shoplifters, but you can't establish it legally at your retail store if you're violating privacy laws. For example, many clothing stores have changing rooms where customers can try on garments that they might want to purchase. Although many shoplifters use these rooms to stash merchandise in large bags or purses, it isn't legal to install security cameras because dressing rooms have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Whomever is running your loss prevention efforts should understand privacy laws like the back of his hand to make sure he promotes security measures legally. Protecting your retail store should be of utmost importance, but don't do anything that might result in a lawsuit or even criminal charges, such as visually monitoring changing rooms.

Never Use Excessive Force

Loss prevention officers should be trained on how to detain a shoplifter after carrying something out of your retail store, but the term 'excessive force' applies to citizens as well as police officers. If the shoplifter claims that he or she was harassed or injured during the scuffle, your store could be liable for damages. When shoplifters become violent, it is best for your loss prevention officers to hand the situation over to the cops.

Know Search and Seizure Laws