Two terms are used interchangeably by business owners, “security guard vs loss prevention officer,” but these two careers are taught differently, dress differently and can legally do different things. If you select the wrong one for your needs, you could either be overpaying for the wrong type of coverage, or you may have a gap in coverage.

We have employees who work in both retail Stores, warehouse, and commercial properties throughout Alberta and the one question we are asked most frequently from new clients is, “Which one do I need?”

In this guide you will discover the fundamental difference between the two, the legalities of their roles when they are suspected of theft, when a business actually needs both, and how, in most cases, the costs and staffing against each other compare.

What is the core difference between a Security Guard vs Loss Prevention?

A security guard is “visible” by design. Uniformed personnel prevent problems before they begin — having one person at the entry, walking around the floor or standing at a loading dock will communicate the message “this property is being watched. The opposite of a loss prevention (LP) officer is to observe and document the theft and not give away to the individual they’re watching, which is what they do.

A security guard is a uniformed individual tasked with general deterrence and site security, whereas a loss prevention officer is a plainclothes individual who is trained to detect, observe and investigate theft without being noticed. Guards are seen to prevent, LP officers are unseen to catch. This is the Real Difference between Security Guard vs Loss Prevention

What can each role legally do to detain a suspect?

This is the point where both are truly different and it becomes a point of liability. The police limits of the Criminal Code are the same for both guards and LP officers in Alberta; they have no police powers. However, an LP officer is specifically trained to know how to build a case to hold up – he observes an item being hidden, watched as it passed the last point of sale and then approaches – and not to act on suspicion alone.

The citizen’s-arrest provisions of the Alberta legislation differ between the two roles, for while LP officers are instructed to build an evidentiary case by observing “concealment” up to the point of sale, this does not apply to the role of a citizen’s arrest. A guard who doesn’t have that kind of training is at greater risk of intervening prematurely or too intensely.

When does a business need both roles, not just one?

If your real shrinkage problem is there, you better get both of them—if you’re choosing between one and the other. Using a visible guard at the entrance to deter some casual opportunists and deescalate some confrontations if they occur. But exactly what does stop organized or repeat theft is an LP officer, not a uniform, because the person stealing is not deterred by the guard’s presence, they just wait until he turns his back.

For businesses with high shrinkage, repeat offenders or organized retail theft, there is a need for a visible guard in place for deterrence and an LP officer in place for detection; one alone puts the other type of theft at risk of remaining undetected. For businesses with low-risk of theft, a guard might be sufficient.

How do costs and staffing compare between the two?

LP officers typically earn more per hour than uniformed guards because they undergo a longer training program and are more likely to be exposed to the law a bad detention could be the source of a legitimate liability lawsuit against the business. The usual baseline layer used is guards, and LP staffing is added on an ad hoc basis, when needed, such as during high risk periods (holiday season, problem hours which are known, or shrink periods).

LP officers are usually higher cost per hour than uniformed guards because they are trained in the specific skills needed for loss prevention, and most businesses do not have trained loss prevention personnel all the time, but only when there is a higher risk of theft during specific hours or seasons. For the midsize retailer, the most popular cost-effective mix is a guard plus periodically scheduled LP coverage.

Conclusion

When your business is facing generic safety and access issues, a guard will probably suffice. When there is actual inventory loss that you can’t easily stop with a good sign-in/out system, it’s time to consider LP coverage.

Not certain which is best suited to your needs? Get a free security assessment from Alpine Protection Services or call +1 780-800-9903.

Alpine Protection Services is an Alberta-based licensed security guard and retail security specialist firm providing protection services based on each company’s risk profile. Find out what Retail Security is.

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards and Loss Prevention Officers 

1. What is the main difference between a security guard and a loss prevention officer? 

A security guard is visible and helps to deter, control access to and to keep an eye on the security of the site. The job of a loss prevention officer is usually done in plain clothes, and they usually specialize in the detection and prevention of theft, often in retail stores. Difference between Job Description of both Security Guard vs Loss Prevention

2. Can security guards and loss prevention officers detain someone? 

The two roles are working within Alberta’s laws for citizen’s arrest, and they have no police power. All detentions should be in accordance with the law and where legally warranted, only reasonable force should be used.

3. Is a loss prevention officer better than a security guard? 

The advantages of either role do not apply to both parts. Security guards are well suited to act as a visible deterrent and to provide general security, whereas loss prevention officers are best suited for businesses where inventory theft, repeat offenders and organized retail theft are the issues.

4. Does my business need both a security guard and a loss prevention officer? 

Companies that are suffering from high levels of theft could be better served having both positions. A visible guard will deter and keep people safe, and an LP officer will be able to recognise and record a suspected theft without attracting attention to themselves. Both are important for business and both have specific duties Security Guard vs Loss Prevention

5. Are loss prevention officers more expensive than security guards? 

Loss prevention officers must often have specific training and therefore may come with a higher price tag than using a standard security guard. Some businesses hire LP officers on an ad hoc basis in times of heightened risk or during times of increased theft.

6. How do I choose between a security guard and a loss prevention officer? 

Take into account your primary security concern. A security guard might be a good choice if you require access control, visible deterrence and overall protection. Thats how you use between Security Guard vs Loss Prevention