A Nationally Accredited Law Enforcement Training Academy

This class offers a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted issue of retail theft, moving beyond the traditional image of individual shoplifting to focus on its more complex and organized forms. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how modern retail crime is often the work of sophisticated criminal networks. The curriculum is designed to dissect these operations, with a particular emphasis on identifying and investigating key areas like organized retail groups, credit card fraud, and the circulation of counterfeit money. Students will also learn to recognize the various scams that are prevalent in the retail industry, providing them with the knowledge to proactively protect their businesses and assets.

In addition to understanding the types of crime, this course will equip students with the practical skills needed to effectively combat them. A significant portion of the class is dedicated to teaching participants how to identify the subtle but crucial indicators displayed by subjects committing these crimes. This includes behavioral cues, transaction patterns, and other telltale signs that can lead to early detection and prevention. Furthermore, the class will provide a step-by-step guide on how to meticulously put together a case for prosecution. This final module will cover the essential elements required to build a strong, court-ready case, ensuring that all necessary evidence and documentation are correctly gathered and presented to secure a successful outcome. The goal is to transform participants from passive observers into active participants in the fight against retail crime.

Detective Sergeant Mergler is an experienced police officer with over 25 years of experience at the largest local law enforcement agency in Virginia. He has a demonstrated history of working complex financial crime and organized retail crime cases. A Virginia DCJS certified law enforcement instructor for over 12 years, he developed and taught the Department’s Holiday Anti-Theft Training curriculum from 2014 through 2018, which trains officers to work in a plain clothes capacity in a mall setting to identify, surveil, and apprehend criminals involved in all forms of retail fraud and theft. Sgt. Mergler developed and teaches the Department’s only class on Organized Retail Crime.

Prior to being promoted, Sgt. Mergler spent over 11 years assigned to a specialized retail theft unit. The unit is unique in its efforts to address retail fraud and theft by having a full police unit embedded in two neighboring malls. The unit used a combination of plain clothes and uniformed officers to patrol and enforce laws at the malls. When combined, the two malls are one of the largest shopping malls in retail space and number of stores in the entire U.S.

Sgt. Mergler is nationally known and recognized for his partnerships with retailers and financial institutions in combating Organized Retail Crime (ORC) with a focus on South American Theft Groups and Romani Organized Theft Groups. He has presented on ORC at multiple conferences, to include the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI) International Training Conference and the Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail (CLEAR) National Training Conference. He was awarded the Loss Prevention Magazine Magpie Award for Excellence in Partnerships in 2023 and the 2023 Flock #Solved Award for Public Safety Partnership.

Sgt. Mergler is currently assigned to his Department’s Major Crimes Bureau and is President of the Mid-Atlantic Organized Retail Crime Alliance (MAORCA), Vice President of the National Association of BUNCO Investigators (NABI), Regional Director for the Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail (CLEAR), and a Board Member of the Metro Organized Retail Crime Alliance (METRORCA).