In the first episode of our Women in LP ‘25 series, bp UK’s Karen Warwick and Iona Blake join Auror’s Ellen Dick for a powerful conversation on what empathy looks like in loss prevention leadership.

They reflect on how their experiences with disability and neurodiversity influence how they lead and support others. Their approach to safety goes beyond procedures. It’s built on care, trust, and a willingness to understand the people behind the behavior. By challenging assumptions and staying close to the frontline, they’re helping create retail environments where everyone feels protected.

This is an honest look at how leadership grounded in empathy can change the way we respond to harm.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• How empathy and inclusion improve safety outcomes in LP

• New ways to think about crime prevention through a human lens

• The need to be open about personal challenges and turn them into strengths

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Karen Warwick & Iona Blake introductions

(03:56) Frontline teams as the heart of customer connection

(04:44) How retail security became more open and collaborative

(07:40) Adapting leadership styles with different personalities

(13:47) Working through professional challenges with disability

(16:18) The power of empathy in diffusing customer confrontations

(22:46) Women breaking barriers in retail security

(27:02) What a real safety culture looks like

(31:20) Building trust through feedback and technology

Resources:

• Ellen’s LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ellendick

• Karen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-warwick-60263617b/

• Iona’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iona-blake-38ba844/

• Understand the latest organized retail crime trends: https://www.auror.co/retail-crime-insights-report 

• Learn more about organized retail crime: https://www.auror.co/organized-retail-crime

• Retail Secure Conference details: https://rccretailsecure.ca/agenda/

• bp’s website: https://www.bp.com/

In this episode of the Retail Crime Intelligence Podcast, Jon Briegel moderates a live Retail Secure Conference panel with Daryl Blackmore, Director of Loss Prevention at Rexall, and Dave Cheema, Director of Asset Protection at Best Buy Canada. They discuss how top Canadian retailers are turning insights into action. They share the technologies and strategies that help their teams stay ahead of repeat offenders and ORC groups.

Dave and Daryl reflect on what’s changed since adopting Auror’s platform, from improved reporting at the store level to tighter collaboration with law enforcement. They share examples of how structured data is being used not just to react, but to prevent incidents altogether. The conversation also touches on privacy hurdles, internal buy-in, and how empowering employees has made a measurable difference in safety and outcomes.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How feedback loops help store teams stay engaged

• The role real-time data plays in stopping repeat offenders

• What it takes to implement new LP tech across large organizations

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Daryl Blackmore & Dave Cheema introductions

(03:31) Enhanced store-level reporting through tech

(08:18) Spotting offenders early to de-escalate incidents

(13:26) Common roadblocks when implementing new technology

(18:33) Tech to combat ORC and its future developments

(23:41) Investigations built on stronger data

(34:10) Collaboration with other retailers to stop crime

In this episode of the Retail Crime Intelligence Podcast, Sean Sportun, Chair of Toronto Crime Stoppers, sits down with Jon Briegel, Senior Retail Partnerships Manager at Auror, to discuss the rising threat of organized retail crime (ORC) in Canada. They explore why collaboration, data, and public awareness are essential to combating ORC.

Sean shares his insights from the front lines, highlighting how organized theft is driving up shrink and putting communities and employees at risk. He and Jon also discuss the link between property crime and violent crime and the changes needed in retail operations to tackle this growing issue.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• The challenges retailers face when combating ORC in Canada

• The role of data in identifying and solving retail crime problems  

• How community education can help disrupt the stolen goods supply chain

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introducing Sean Sportun

(02:03) The growing issue of retail crime in Canada 

(09:45) Why law enforcement alone can’t solve ORC

(13:12) Buyer beware: health and legal risks of stolen goods

(14:59) Combatting ORC through data, analytics, and collaboration

Resources:

• Jon’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-briegel-b7922040/ 

• Sean’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seansportun/

• Understand the latest organized retail crime trends: https://www.auror.co/retail-crime-insights-report 

• Learn more about organized retail crime: https://www.auror.co/organized-retail-crime

• Toronto Crime Stopper’s website: https://www.222tips.com/

In this episode of the Retail Crime Intelligence Podcast, Cassandra Brown, Group Director of Enterprise Security - Transformation & Support at Walmart, sits down with Bobby Haskins, Auror SVP of Customer and former AP/LP manager at Target, to talk about leadership development in loss prevention.

Cassandra shares how her approach to leadership has evolved — both in shaping her own career and in mentoring the next generation of LP professionals. She and Bobby explore the mindset shifts happening in the industry, from prioritizing personal success to focusing on team growth. They also discuss the challenges of developing strong leadership in a field where adaptability, trust, and communication are just as important as security strategy.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• The power of surrounding yourself with people who challenge and push you to grow

• How to embrace feedback as a tool for growth, even when it’s uncomfortable

• How proactive communication with key stakeholders leads to better buy-in and stronger results

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introducing Cassandra Brown

(02:19) Work-life balance and leadership as a “boy mom”

(06:45) From part-time job to 15 years at Walmart

(09:21) Why strong mentors shape career decisions

(12:04) Leadership principles that drive career growth

(17:35) How to adjust leadership styles for different teams

(24:28) Building trust: the key to high-performing teams

(28:30) The role of feedback in leadership development

(34:39) The mindset shift from self-betterment to team empowerment

(42:41) The power of proactive communication in loss prevention

Resources:

• Cassandra’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-brown-724b8a233//

• Walmart’s website: https://www.walmart.com/

• Situational Leadership course: https://www.udemy.com/course/situational-leadership-basic/

In this episode of The Intel, Terry Sullivan sits down with Auror advisor Mike Lamb, whose career spans four decades leading asset protection at The Home Depot, Walmart, and Kroger. 

Terry and Mike discuss the evolving priorities in retail safety, shifting from shrink management to addressing rising violence and organized retail crime as well. They also discuss innovative solutions like body-worn cameras and license plate recognition to enhance store security without disrupting the customer experience. 

Lastly, they discuss the importance of collaboration between retailers and law enforcement, powered by Auror’s secure intelligence-sharing tools.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introducing Mike Lamb

(03:25) The shift from shrink management to safety as a priority​

(07:10) The rising adoption of body-worn cameras in retail

(15:18) Collaboration and integration for increased safety

(24:20) Talk-to-text reporting for retailers

(29:31) Tips to prepare for the NRF Retail’s Big Show

Resources:

Bobby Haskins, SVP of Customer at Auror, recently joined Marty Carpenter on Retail’s Most Wanted. Bobby and Marty discussed how Auror’s platform helps retailers report, solve, and prevent organized retail crime (ORC).

Bobby shares insights on the top 10% of offenders responsible for the majority of retail loss and violence and how data-driven strategies, like license plate recognition, can help retailers protect their stores. They also explore success stories, the importance of collaboration with law enforcement, and the future of crime prevention technology.  

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) An introduction to the episode with Bobby Haskins

(01:09) Strategies to prevent retail crime

(03:48) How to identify repeat offenders  and manage violent behavior

(06:37) The role of store managers in crime prevention

(08:22) License plate recognition for retailers

(09:49) Auror’s platform for law enforcement

(10:46) Future of retail crime prevention and collaboration

Resources:

In this episode of the Retail Crime Intelligence Podcast, host Bobby Haskins and Rhod Thomas, Auror’s Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, discuss whether companies should develop their own software or buy existing solutions.

Aside from the financial cost, Rhod gives insights into what organizations must consider before deciding. Bobby and Rhod share industry examples and ways to overcome the sunk cost fallacy that leaders tend to face. 

This episode explores the best time to develop in-house solutions and when it’s more advantageous to collaborate or purchase from external providers.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) An introduction to the episode with guest Rhod Thomas

(05:05) Auror's impact on crime prevention and safety

(08:08) A decision-making process for building or buying software

(16:21) How the sunk cost fallacy affects all businesses

(18:42) Why you should fail fast and learn from your mistakes

(23:24) The cost of building an in-house solution 

(25:54) Why you should consider the pace of technological advancement 

Resources:

Join Auror leaders from the North American customer team as they discuss the latest insights in loss prevention and law enforcement. As industry advocates with deep experience in LP and law enforcement themselves, they’ll dive into the trends and themes they’re observing at events and in customer conversations.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) An introduction to the Auror team

(03:00) Recent trade shows and Auror's growing presence

(04:34) How license plate recognition aids law enforcement 

(09:18) Solving organized retail crime through cross-collaboration

(13:37) Empowering customers to combat retail crime through data

(17:42) Inside Auror’s next-gen room at RILA

(21:54) The ease of voice-to-text reporting 

On this special episode of The Retail Crime Intelligence Podcast, Alaina chats with Mandy Neal, Senior Product Manager at Auror, about the newly released Suggested Investigations solution. Mandy works on the Investigate stream at Auror, a product within Auror’s Retail Crime Intelligence platform. Alaina and Mandy introduce Suggested Investigations by going through how it works, who it’s for, and the process that led to this release – pairing Mandy’s product expertise with Alaina’s industry perspective as a senior leader across LP and law enforcement.

Stay up to date with Auror’s continual innovation: https://www.auror.co/whats-new

Jump into the conversation:

[00:00] Introduction to The Retail Crime Intelligence Podcast with guest Mandy Neal

[05:32] New data science features Suggested Investigations

[06:57] How customers save time with Suggested Investigations

[10:13] Product managers value customer feedback for problem-solving, designing, testing, and refining solutions

On this episode of The Retail Crime Intelligence Podcast, Rob Wolf (Auror) talks with Police Chief Eric Clifford (Schenectady, NY) about connecting and collaborating across organizations and teams to make communities safer.

They cover everything from Chief Clifford’s career journey to lessons learned as a law enforcement leader – they also dive into the current state of community crime, retail’s role in that, and how leaders like Chief Clifford are addressing it in the US.

Eric Clifford is the Police Chief for Schenectady, the county seat of Schenectady County in Eastern New York. Chief Clifford is a certified Crisis Negotiator, Zone Five Regional Police Academy instructor, the former call-out coordinator for the Peer Support team, and trained as a bicycle police officer. He is also on the board of directors for the Zone Five Regional Police Academy and the Capital Region Crime Analysis Center.

Jump into the conversation:

[00:00] An introduction to Police Chief Eric Clifford

[07:55] Efforts to recruit and diversify the police force ongoing

[10:29] Shifting police mindset and building community trust through outreach programs

[15:37] The importance of addressing theft for community welfare

[21:31] County meeting discusses quarterly assessments, active shooter training, and emerging technology

[25:12] How partnerships help reduce crime and poverty in the community

[26:27] Expressing gratitude for community safety efforts, partnership, learning, and podcast participation

Resources: