From LE to LP

[Curtis Baillie]

There’s a discussion taking place on the General Discussion forum titles, “Why Not Law Enforcement?” (http://forums.securityinfowatch.com/showthread.php?t=4899) The discussion is about why some Security Officers have chosen not to go into law enforcement. This brings up a topic I have experienced and written about in the past – Making the change from LE to LP.

To start with, I’m one who made a successful change from LE to LP. It wasn’t easy as I had many years of LE experience at different levels. At first, I viewed it as downgrading my career. I went from a very high profile position to sitting in the observation windows for a retailer catching shoplifters, but kept an open mind looking for ways to ease the transition. The LP Director who hired me said I wouldn’t make grade. My goal was to prove him wrong. I was successful and worked my way up the ladder to the top loss prevention position in the company.

During my LP career, I had the opportunity to interview many (and hire a few) law enforcement officers into loss prevention positions. Here’s why I feel many LEOs fail. Often LEO’s fail to make the transition from what I call – “the black and white world of law enforcement to now it’s the grey corporate world of loss prevention.” I can only think of two people I hired directly out of law enforcement that went on to achieve success in Loss Prevention.

So, what do you think? What has been your experience?

[dhawk52]

My experience is a little different from yours. I started out in loss prevention many years ago, straight out of college. I moved up the ladder somewhat quickly, but decided I would have more room for advancement in another state (I moved to Texas from West Virginia). I moved into corporate security and moved into management at a major computer chip manufacturer. I missed loss prevention and jumped ship. I progressed into a management position in the worst mall in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area (Redbird then now it is called Southwest). I truly enjoyed the work, but felt that I was in a dead end job. I moved on to work in juvenile probation. I have now been a probation officer for over 7 years, but have recently started looking in the loss prevention field again (I guess I miss the rush), but really know that I would not/could not leave this job unless it was in the regional area.

[Bill Warnock]

dhawk, if you want a rush contact the federal probation office for the Northern District of Texas either in Dallas the headquarters or the Fort Worth Office.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[HotelSecurity]

There’s a discussion taking place on the General Discussion forum titles, “Why Not Law Enforcement?” (http://forums.securityinfowatch.com/showthread.php?t=4899) The discussion is about why some Security Officers have chosen not to go into law enforcement. This brings up a topic I have experienced and written about in the past – Making the change from LE to LP.

To start with, I’m one who made a successful change from LE to LP. It wasn’t easy as I had many years of LE experience at different levels. At first, I viewed it as downgrading my career. I went from a very high profile position to sitting in the observation windows for a retailer catching shoplifters, but kept an open mind looking for ways to ease the transition. The LP Director who hired me said I wouldn’t make grade. My goal was to prove him wrong. I was successful and worked my way up the ladder to the top loss prevention position in the company.

During my LP career, I had the opportunity to interview many (and hire a few) law enforcement officers into loss prevention positions. Here’s why I feel many LEOs fail. Often LEO’s fail to make the transition from what I call – “the black and white world of law enforcement to now it’s the grey corporate world of loss prevention.” I can only think of two people I hired directly out of law enforcement that went on to achieve success in Loss Prevention.

So, what do you think? What has been your experience?

Curtis I am not in LP but you hit the nail on the head comparing private security in general to LE when you write about black & white & grey. I hire a lot of Police Technology students & have to sit them down before they start to explain that we are in the hotel business, not law enforcement. Sometimes we see things that we have to keep our mouths shut.

[Security]

Well, I do not have any experience in loss prevention, but all I can say is that I have been reading your posts for several months now, Curtis, and it sounds like you have had a very successful career. For what it's worth, it sounds to me like your decision to leave law enforcement for loss prevention was a good one.

[NRM_Oz]

Curtis, that would have to be the most straight up answer / post I have ever come across globally for the discussion on LE to LP. I have moved around the RM industry from security to LP to investigations to CPP to Ops and even some K9 work on the side. This experience has been invaluable to remain versatile but has also given me an advantage in seeing other facets of the industry. As I have repeatedly stated, when I first started, vet cops were the mentors who ensured everyone was kept on the straight and narrow and we really enjoyed coming to work to learn from their experience.

[Curtis Baillie]

Well, I do not have any experience in loss prevention, but all I can say is that I have been reading your posts for several months now, Curtis, and it sounds like you have had a very successful career. For what it's worth, it sounds to me like your decision to leave law enforcement for loss prevention was a good one.It was a life changing decision for me. I was working for the State of Arizona as a Division Chief. I started working for a retailer who then based their LP salary on the pay structure of the LA County Sheriff''s department. Why that salary model - I don't know. I was supplied with a company car, free health insurance (no preminums or deductables), a 10K a year raise, and a whole lot less responsibility. It worked out well. Thus my retail LP career was launched - I never looked back.

[LPAjh9558]

Although I've never worked in LE (at least not yet), I've had the opportunity to work with a couple of people that had either worked in LP and LE. And I've noticed that they seemed to sometimes have trouble distinguishing between the 2. I did learn a great deal from 1 guy, but the other.....:eek:

[R.boyle2003]

Heh, funny I should happen upon this topic as I am rapidly approaching a crossroad in my life right now.

Lately I have been devoting my self to both school and getting my C.J. Degree and also pushing my self at work. I have recently been offered an applicant slot for a local P.D. I plan on trying out but I am not sure if I will make the cut but many others see me making it.

Also at work My dept manager told me yesterday that he is seeking a promotion and has made arrangements to have me take over the department that I am working in.

Both will pay somewhat the same P.D. will pay slightly more but lowes will give better bonuses. That aside as it is a small issue to me.

What path do I take? I have been developing both and committing my self so much towards both roads. If I don't make the grade as an officer I loose my advancement at work and have to start over, If I don't make the cut at lowes then I don't know the next time I can get a p.d. to even look at me.

Tough decision for me. any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[Curtis Baillie]

Heh, funny I should happen upon this topic as I am rapidly approaching a crossroad in my life right now.

Lately I have been devoting my self to both school and getting my C.J. Degree and also pushing my self at work. I have recently been offered an applicant slot for a local P.D. I plan on trying out but I am not sure if I will make the cut but many others see me making it.

Also at work My dept manager told me yesterday that he is seeking a promotion and has made arrangements to have me take over the department that I am working in.

Both will pay somewhat the same P.D. will pay slightly more but lowes will give better bonuses. That aside as it is a small issue to me.

What path do I take? I have been developing both and committing my self so much towards both roads. If I don't make the grade as an officer I loose my advancement at work and have to start over, If I don't make the cut at lowes then I don't know the next time I can get a p.d. to even look at me.

Tough decision for me. any advice will be greatly appreciated.The decision is yours - nobody but you has the ability to listen to your inner voice. Trust me - that inner voice normally is showing you the right direction.

[Curtis Baillie]

I'll add .....You might want to test for the LE position and you make your decision then. If you pass up the LE opportunity you might wonder if you could of made it.:)

[R.boyle2003]

I planned on trying out for PD any ways if for nothing else but for the experience. I am wanting to try for Houston Texas P.D. if the one I am trying out for does not hire me.

By the way Thank you for the advice Curtis. It is very appreciated.

[Curtis Baillie]

You're welcome.