As theft and retail violence continue to threaten retailers and the safety of their employees from coast to cost, RCC’s Loss Prevention Advisory Committee is advocating for several initiatives to help reduce the frequency and intensity of these occurrences and improve conditions for all.
The following is a nation-wide update of RCC’s Loss Prevention Advisory Committee concerns as well as new resources for the retail Loss Prevention community in Canada.
LOSS PREVENTION ADVOCACY
Manitoba Retail Crime Task Force making strides
In Manitoba, a new first-in-Canada incident reporting pilot project is about to be launched. This pilot is intended to find ways to facilitate better collaboration between retailers, police, and the courts by enabling the participants to leverage a common technology for submitting incidents, and analyzing macro data to identify and convict the most prolific offenders. Anecdotal reports suggest that less than 20% of perpetrators involved in retail-related crimes account for more than 80% of retail-related losses and incidents.
This work was done through the Minister of Justice’s Manitoba Retail Crime Task Force which includes senior representation from the government, Justice, Manitoba’s police services, retail, and other key stakeholders. The Task Force recently created the Retail Safety and Security guide, which is a free resource for members and non-members alike.
LP progress being made in Ontario, British Columbia
Meetings in Ontario with adjacent staff for the ministries of the Attorney General, Solicitor General, and Labour, and on discussions how to collaborate on solutions to reduce the incidents of violence in retail;
Meetings in Ontario with Chair and Co-Chair of Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) Community Safety and Crime Prevention Committee. Chairs wish to work with RCC and retail members on an Ontario-specific program similar to the activities in Manitoba;
Continuing conversations in British Columbia where Ministers offered to work together with retailers on a local committee to explore solutions to improve community safety;
Alberta’s Minister of Justice and solicitor General, the Hon. Tyler Shandro has agreed to meet with RCC this month to discuss the evolving issues related to retail crime and safety;
Conversations with Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador governments who have offered to engage with police chiefs;
RCC will continue the work of this advocacy with the government and police to find long-term solutions that will reduce retail crime.
RCC will continue the work of this advocacy with the government and police to find long-term solutions that will reduce retail crime.
Any members looking to take part in the LP Advisory Committee are asked to contact Rui Rodrigues at rrodrigues@retailcouncil.org.
New LP/Security Supply Chain Committee launched
To address member requests about supply chain security "best practices”, RCC engaged in discovery conversations to design the format and purpose of the committee. The newly-established committee now meets on a monthly basis to advance learning and sharing in this area.
Any members looking to take part in the LP Supply Chain Committee are asked to contact Rui Rodrigues at rrodrigues@retailcouncil.org.
National LP Taskforce with Police
The LP Advisory Committee has identified three key concerns: 1) the increase in workplace violence, arson, and property crime 2) the need for greater collaboration with police, justice, and government, and 3) the growing incidence of organized retail crime.
As an outcome, one of the goals the LP Advisory Committee identified is to engage in outreach with police services, crown office, Solicitor General, and Attorney General to join the taskforce and be part of the conversations to identify solutions to these three issues driving retailer concerns. RCC has begun its outreach efforts to several police services, including Edmonton, Halton, York, Peel, Toronto, and Ottawa who have now joined the taskforce and who will continue to try to invite their networks to join and together work towards implementable solutions.
Any members looking to take part in the LP Taskforce are asked to contact Rui Rodrigues at rrodrigues@retailcouncil.org.
FEATURE: How the Retail Council of Canada Leverages Collaboration – Loss Prevention Magazine article
RCC’s own executive advisor on loss prevention and risk management, Rui Rodrigues, has been featured in the latest edition of Loss Prevention Magazine. He gives an inside look at advocacy, cross-border collaboration with American organizations, and much more.
Tools and resources: New victim impact statement tool
It is not widely understood that retail crime is not just about theft of products. There is significant harm inflicted on retail employees and businesses during the commission of various crimes. It is therefore imperative that when there are incidents where these factors are present, the retailer adds the impact of the incident to their business, employees and customers with their report to police so that the crown counsels prosecuting the cases have purview to the seriousness of retail crimes.
In consultation with the Loss Prevention Advisory, RCC has put together a checklist regarding the preparation of Victim Impact Statements, links to the Victim Impact forms in every province and territory, and a generic template.
Loss Prevention Community Hub: Gift card fraud resources
Last March, RCC, in partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, developed several in-store assets for retailers to use to raise awareness of gift card fraud, including posters, display holder cards, and stickers.
Those assets, which can be found here and on our Loss Prevention Community Hub, can be used year-round. RCC's Loss Prevention Advisory Committee strongly encourages retailers display these messages to protect their customers and employees.
Members identified a need for de-escalation training for front-line workers to help deal with the increase of violent offenders. RCC has provided some basic de-escalation tips that members can download and has engaged with a vendor partner to create a more in depth training video that will be made available to everyone through RCC.
Bookmark RCC's Loss Prevention Community Hub for more news and resources including our Retail Safety Guidebook, a deep dive on in-store violence, and workbooks to help your staff reduce their risk while at work.
.png?upscale=true&width=1200&upscale=true&name=Retail%20@%20Issue%20Monthly%20newsletters%20(1).png)
-1.jpg?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=GettyImages-638005148%20(1)-1.jpg)
.jpg?upscale=true&width=520&upscale=true&name=GettyImages-1324209763%20(3).jpg)
.jpg?upscale=true&width=520&upscale=true&name=GettyImages-1365375690%20(3).jpg)
