It Takes a Network to Defeat a network

Organized Retail Crime Association or ORCABC is a non-profit association holding province-wide membership throughout British Columbia consisting of public and private professionals aimed at detecting, deterring, and dismantling organized retail crime.

How can we help you?

SOLUTIONS

Expert advice on emerging tools and processes to detect, deter, and dismantle ORC.

NETWORK

Join our trusted collaborative network of ORC professionals and other partners involved in combatting ORC-related issues at the local, provincial, and federal levels.

DEVELOPMENT

Supporting ORC and Loss Prevention professionals by providing continuing education through various training opportunities.

EDUCATION

Educating the public on ORC and retail crime issues, to include victim prevention, response, and awareness.

FORUMS

Facilitating meetings, seminars, webinars, and conferences specific to ORC-related topics

Our PARTNERS

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Organized Retail Crime (ORC)?

Organized retail crime (ORC) is defined as retail crime committed with the intent to convert illegally obtained merchandise, cargo or cash for financial gain. ORC typically involves a criminal enterprise that organizes large scale thefts from a number of retail stores and employs a fencing operation to sell the illegally obtained goods for profit. It should be distinguished from traditional “shoplifting,” which is typically a theft.

2. What is Retail Crime?

Retail crime is known as illegal acts that occur within a retail environment. These crimes are most commonly product theft, fraud, and violence.

3. What are the consequences of ORC?

ORC leads to significant financial losses for retailers, impacts shopper trust, and can have a substantial economic impact on both businesses and consumers.

4. How can businesses prevent ORC?

Businesses can protect themselves through retail security strategies, hiring high-quality retail security and loss prevention teams, and engaging in community efforts to reduce retail theft

5. Why is collaboration important for ORCAs?

Subjects and crimes are reduced when LP from retail business work together to share information and involve the police. Small incidents can grow quickly if the same subject is active in different retailers.

6. What Value is important to ORCABC?

We believe our the 5Core PEACE value. Click here for more info.

7. What is an ORCABC member and non-member?

ORCABC members have the benefits of joining our ORC network that include Law Enforcement and Loss Prevention Professionals, and stakeholders effected by ORC. Non-ORCABC members have the benefits of joining our webinars and newsletter.

8. How do I become an ORCBC member?

Apply online and after your application is reviewed and accepted, you will be given access to our website and network’s resources.

Our membership is open to individuals or organizations who have a vested interest in – or are affected – by issues relating to organized retail crime. Members shall be:

those who are employed by a private business and whose primary responsibilities include reducing, deterring or investigating theft, or
public sector employees whose jobs are related to reducing, deterring or investigating crime (i.e. Law Enforcement, prosecutors, legislators, etc.).

Members must follow our Bylaws, Code of Conduct, Privacy Policy, and any other conditions or agreements at time of application or as a member in good standing.

9. How do you identify that you are a victim of ORC?

Some indicators that theft is organized include:

Multijurisdictional thefts of high‑value items.
Groups working together with defined roles.
Use of tools (bags, boosters, distraction techniques, fraud methods).
Links to online resale platforms or known fences.
Multiple incidents tied to the same individuals, vehicles, or patterns.

Would you like to join ORCABC?

Join our network of law enforcement, loss prevention professionals, and stakeholders that will detect, deter and dismantle Organized Retail Crime in BC.