Loss Prevention Certification - Executive Overview
In today’s society, brand and reputation are the keys to being profitable. In order to maintain this reputation, especially in light of ever increasing litigation, proper education and skill development of loss prevention personnel is critical. One poorly handled situation may result in litigation or media coverage that can forever damage a company’s image or even put them out of business. Retailers worldwide recognize the importanceand the need for a standardized education process for loss prevention associates, agents and managers. In response to this need the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and Loss Prevention Magazine started the initiative to revolutionize standards of quality, consistency and integrity in Loss Prevention.
The effort was driven initially by the Loss Prevention Certification Council (LPCC), a formal steering committee of loss prevention executives, from a wide variety of retailers, as well as some representatives of academia who together drive the development and accreditation process for the certification courses and exams. This group, composed of members and non-members of RILA, will be the governing body directing certification curriculum content development and determining expectations and results criteria. Council members attended scheduled meetings and reviewed content as it was developed.
During the certification developmental process, it was determined that the best way to administer a true industry certification program was to develop an independent organization to represent all retailers, vendors and trade associations. Therefore, The Loss Prevention Foundation, a not for profit 501 c6 organization was created in 2006, by industry leading professionals to serve the loss prevention industry. The mission is to advance the loss prevention profession by providing relevant, convenient and challenging educational resources. They support this mission through two certification programs, LPQualified (LPQ) and LPCertified (LPC), on-line educational resources and a loss prevention professional membership program. Click here for more information on Loss Prevention Certification.