More common terms today with major retailers are loss prevention agent, detective or investigator and asset protection officer.
Special officer, once common,[citation needed] is now rarely used, as it is typically denotes some form of law enforcement authority, and some jurisdictions limit its use.
Store detectives are still very common and are used in almost all locations of Target, Walmart, JCPenney, Macy's, Nordstrom, Sephora, and other large retailers.
Keen observational skills is the primary weapon alongside good teamwork with security guards and the use of CCTV.
Some also carry covert microphone and earpieces attached to a radio (sometimes radio-linked to shopping centres and other retail establishments) in order to effectively monitor suspected shoplifters as they move through an area.
However, most provinces require an individual to have special handcuff training and an endorsement on their security license such as in British Columbia.