Introduction to ORC

Dear Participant:

Thank you for choosing this valuable training program to enhance your skill set and expertise in Organized Retail Crime (ORC) investigations. The training course in which you are about to start is designed to teach you the fundamentals and methodologies of ORC investigations. The methodologies we will be discussing in this publication are those that have been proven in real-world settings and proven highly successful over time.

While many of the methodologies you learn in this publication on ORC investigations may work at one time or another, it is only those who prove themselves by successfully resolving large numbers of ORC investigations which employ different types of subjects, which are highly sought after. Before you begin your study with the ORC Investigators Manual we would like to address some relevant issues of the ORC investigation process.

1. Establish the elements of the crime that must be proved
2. Consider the response in light of the total impact to the organization
3. Common criminal actions resulting from organized retail crime
4. Common civil action resulting from organized retail crime investigations
   1. False Imprisonment
   2. Defamation
   3. Malicious Prosecution

At first glance, the impact of organized retail crime may appear to be limited to monetary losses to retailers. The economic impact, however, extends beyond the manufacturing and retail industry and affects costs incurred by consumers and taxes lost by the states. Beyond the economic impact, the theft of stolen consumable or health and beauty products may pose safety risks to individuals purchasing such goods from ORC fences. In addition, some industry experts and policymakers have expressed concern about the possibility that proceeds from ORC may be used to fund terrorist activities.

We would like to acknowledge the assistance of the following experts in contributing material to this edition:

Jeremy Tippet, Sam Reichman, Jerry Biggs, Kathleen Smith, Jamie Bailey, Gary Weisbecker, Brenden Dugard, Al Moriarity, Bill Wooters, Roderick Bailey, Art Keller, Belinda Johns, Kathy Klendinstine, Fred Newell, Robert Myers, Josh Eudy, Dennis Thomas, Jeff Hunter, & Paul Curtis.

Joshua P McAfee
CEO / Founder of McAfee Institute