Lesson 12 of 12

Course Summary & Field Reference Card

Professional loss prevention officer in plainclothes standing confidently and looking at the camera inside a well-lit modern Ontario retail store, warm professional lighting, realistic hi-fi photograph, wide cinematic shot
Professional loss prevention officer in plainclothes standing confidently and looking at the camera inside a well-lit modern Ontario retail store, warm professional lighting, realistic hi-fi photograph, wide cinematic shot

Module Complete

You now have the legal foundation for professional Loss Prevention and Security work in Ontario.

The 5 LP Steps

Complete all 5 steps — in order — before making any arrest:

  1. Observation — Subject enters without concealed merchandise

  2. Selection — Subject selects a specific item

  3. Concealment — Subject deliberately conceals the item

  4. Maintain Continuity — Unbroken visual contact from concealment to arrest

  5. Pass the Last Point of Sale — Subject exits without paying

Missing any single step makes the arrest legally void under Section 494 of the Criminal Code of Canada.

The Gold Rule

Continuity must be unbroken from the moment of concealment to the point of arrest.

  • Any loss of visual contact — even seconds — means you cannot prove the item is still on the subject

  • When continuity is broken, abort the arrest immediately

  • Document the incident thoroughly: subject description, items, timestamps, CCTV angles reviewed

  • Report to management for review and next steps

  • If the subject returns to the store, restart the 5-step process from the beginning

There are no exceptions to the Gold Rule.

Charter Rights Script

Use this script immediately upon making every arrest:

"I am a Loss Prevention officer. I am detaining you for theft of merchandise from this store. You have the right to retain and instruct a lawyer without delay. Do you understand your rights?"

Then follow this sequence:

  1. Escort the subject calmly to the detention area

  2. Contact police immediately — do not delay

  3. Do not question the subject about the theft before police arrive

  4. Use only as much force as is reasonably necessary

  5. Document everything for your incident report

Knowing when not to act is as important as knowing when to act. A patient, legally sound process will always outperform a rushed arrest.

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