Crime and Loss Investigation Program
Paving the way for Investigative Careers

Program Description

In today’s world there is crucial need for competent investigators. Investigators involved in Retail Loss Prevention, background investigation, undercover investigation and surveillance are in high demand. Virtually all beginning investigators start their careers in one of these areas. And they move on from there. The need for supervisory personnel in government and private industry to perform investigative functions, collect intelligence, oversee investigations or act upon the results of investigations is well established.

Career options in Investigation are wide open for those prepared for the challenges. One must first master the basics. Advanced, specialized education is then added. And the base of knowledge is expanded. One must be knowledgeable in various areas to be of value to their employer.

The Crime and Loss Investigation Program will teach the basic components of Investigation including Interviewing, Report Writing, and Crime Scene Procedures. There is also extensive instruction on more specialized topics such as Intelligence, Undercover and Surveillance.

The Crime and Loss Investigation Program covers a wide variety of Investigation related areas such as Apprehension and Detention Procedures, Legal Aspects of Security, Information Security and Counterterrorism/ VIP Security. These topics are essential to some investigative personnel on a regular basis. To others they are occasional functional areas; engaged in during special assignments, emergencies or following promotions in rank.

The Crime and Loss Investigation helps prepare participating students for what they must do!

Program topics are covered in two (2) texts and a series of online papers.

1. Introductory Crime and Loss Investigation topics are provided on the IFPO website in the Article Archives. This enables the student to begin the program immediately – before text materials are received. The student can start learning about the history, scope and career opportunities within the Investigations Industry right away. They can also sample the Program free of charge.
   
2. The primary text is INTRODUCTION TO INVESTIGATION by John S. Dempsey. This is a popular text for college Criminal Investigation classes.
   
3. The general knowledge areas are taken from the PROTECTION OFFICER TRAINING MANUAL, a comprehensive text used for the Certified Protection Officer (CPO) Program

Program Curriculum

ARTICLE ARCHIVES PAPERS:

The IFPO Article Archives papers are authored and reviewed by an Advisory Committee of senior investigative managers and academicians.

AN INTRODUCTION TO THEORY, PRACTICE AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS (PDF)

INTELLIGENCE AS AN INVESTIGATIVE FUNCTION (PDF)

SURVEILLANCE: OPERATIONAL, ETHICAL AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS (PDF)

CONDUCTING COMPREHENSIVE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS (PDF)

INVESTIGATIVE INTERVIEWING: STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES (PDF)

INVESTIGATION SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

The primary text is INTRODUCTION TO INVESTIGATION by John S. Dempsey and published by Wadsworth. INTRODUCTION TO INVESTIGATION is a groundbreaking work which provides ample coverage of both public and private sector investigations. The text also has online tutorials, a glossary and research aids on the Wadsworth.com website

Mr. Dempsey is a noted author and professor. He is a retired Captain with the New York City Police Department who had extensive experience both conducting and supervising investigations.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS :

The second text for the Crime and Loss Investigation Program is the PROTECTION OFFICER TRAINING MANUAL (POTM), 7th Edition published by Butterworth-Heinemann. This text is the basis for the Certified Protection Officer (CPO) designation and is widely used in colleges, secondary schools and training academies throughout the world. The POTM contains forty-three (43) chapters and is a valuable reference for both protection professionals and students. Of these 43 chapters, twenty-six (26) have been selected for inclusion in the Crime and Loss Investigation Program. The POTM chapters were included as they provide greater breadth of Investigation and related topics.

Having these areas not only broadens the student’s base of knowledge; but acts as a cost saving for students and employers. Individuals who have completed the Crime and Loss Investigation Program and meet the experience requirements will be able to take the CPO Final Challenge Option – a cost-reduction strategy developed for individuals and employers who wish to participate in the CPO process.

(This section of the Program is required for all persons except those who have been designated Certified Protection Officers in 2002 or later. These individuals have already been tested on this material)

The Evolution of Asset Protection and Security
Observation Skills and Memory
Safety and the Protection Officer
Introduction to Computer Security
Information Security
Strikes, Lockouts, and Labor Relations
Workplace Violence
Employee Dishonesty and Crime in Business
Substance Abuse
Effective Communications
Security Awareness
Operational Risk Management
Counterterrorism and VIP Protection
Crime Scene Procedures
Foundations for Surveillance
Interviewing Techniques
Investigation: Concepts and Practices for Security Professionals
Legal Aspects of Security
Protection Officer Law (U.S.)
Protection Officer Law (Canadian)
Use of Force
Defensive Tactics and Officer Safety
Apprehension and Detention Procedures
Public Relations
Police and Security Liaison
Ethics and Professionalism

Colleges and Universities
The Foundation offers a relevant, high quality, internationally recognized program at a reasonable cost. The design of the Program facilitates integration with coursework offered by accredited colleges and universities. Colleges may wish to utilize the historical, theoretical and related portions of the Program to broaden their existing base of study. They may adopt one or both texts for their own courses. They can use the online papers to supplement and expand their existing curriculum.

Professional Certification
The Program also aids in preparing the student for professional certification such as the Certified Protection Officer (CPO), Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) at some point in their career. These designations are increasingly sought after by employers when hiring or promoting investigative personnel. Studies have shown that professionally certified investigators receive higher rates of compensation. They may not be immediately attained, however, as there are experience requirements. The Crime and Loss Investigation Program helps to establish the academic foundation for professional certification. It paves the way for their future completion.

Online Assistance
Additional online assistance can be obtained in the form of Practice Examinations and Tutorials. These are available at no cost and serve to both reinforce and expand learning.

Examination Process
Examinations are administered by Foundation approved proctors. They can be college faculty, management personnel, etc. There is no additional charge for the examinations; everything is included in the program cost. Complete details concerning the examination process are mailed with Program materials.