Collaboration between retailers, law enforcement, and the communities they serve, requires a coordinated effort and is critical for success in the battle against organized retail crime.  

The Outstanding ORCA Award honors a standout Organized Retail Crime Association/Alliance for its exceptional partnership and investigative efforts. This award category is intended to spotlight an association that excels in uniting law enforcement, retailers, and communities to combat retail crime. Criteria includes but is not limited to:  innovative strategies for intelligence sharing, investigative success, and impactful crime reduction.  We are looking for that ORCA that exemplifies how effective partnerships across sectors can lead to significant advancements in the fight against organized retail crime, demonstrating leadership, innovation, and a commitment to creating a safer retail environment, and safer communities, through collective action and shared resources.

Here's what people are saying about LAMAORCA:
.......Chris Schkade recognized a gap in organized retail crime investigators and their law enforcement partners networking closely in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama. With all of the surrounding states having established and thriving ORCA movements, Chris partnered with key stakeholders and made the decision to make a multi-state ORCA which was a huge undertaking and rarely done due to the complexity. Chris and the LAMA team have quickly established a very impactful group and have done so much work in the participating states.

.......Since its establishment in 2023, LAMAORCA has rapidly emerged as a formidable force in combating organized retail crime (ORC) across the Gulf South. As the first multi-state, multi-jurisdictional ORCA of its kind, LAMAORCA unites retailers, law enforcement agencies, and financial institutions from Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama in a concerted effort to dismantle ORC networks and enhance public-private collaboration.
In its inaugural year, LAMAORCA coordinated eight strategic enforcement operations—known as "blitzes"—across its four-state region, leading to 17 arrests in cities including Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Conway, Arkansas. These operations not only recovered significant amounts of stolen merchandise but also disrupted complex criminal enterprises involving fraudulent gift card schemes and large-scale theft rings. Notably, a joint operation with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Arkansas uncovered a $2 million fraud involving over 6,000 compromised Home Depot gift cards, resulting in substantial merchandise recovery and federal charges against the perpetrators.

LAMAORCA's commitment to fostering intelligence sharing and operational coordination is evident through its regular multi-agency meetings and training sessions. These gatherings bring together law enforcement officials, retail investigators, and financial crime experts to exchange insights, develop best practices, and strategize on emerging threats. The alliance's leadership, comprising seasoned professionals from both the public and private sectors, ensures a balanced and effective approach to ORC mitigation.

Furthermore, LAMAORCA's proactive engagement with legislative bodies has been instrumental in advocating for stronger penalties against ORC activities, thereby reinforcing the legal framework necessary to deter and prosecute such crimes effectively.

In recognition of its innovative multi-state model, impactful enforcement actions, and unwavering dedication to public-private partnership, LAMAORCA stands as a deserving candidate for the ORCA of the Year award. Its achievements serve as a blueprint for collaborative efforts in the fight against organized retail crime nationwide.

Here's what people are saying about WAORCA:
The Washington Organized Retail Crime Association (WAORCA) has rapidly emerged as a national leader in combating organized retail crime (ORC). Through strategic partnerships, innovative initiatives, and unwavering commitment, WAORCA has significantly advanced the fight against ORC in Washington State and beyond.
Key Achievements:

• Securing Substantial Funding: WAORCA successfully advocated for a $1 million state budget allocation to bolster ORC prevention and enforcement efforts, demonstrating its effectiveness in influencing public policy. 
• High-Profile Case Collaborations: WAORCA's coordinated efforts led to the dismantling of a major theft ring targeting Lululemon stores, showcasing its ability to unify retailers and law enforcement across jurisdictions for impactful results.
• Recognition of Excellence: Member Chelsea Tower received Ulta Beauty's "Drives Growth" award for leading her department in prosecuted cases, reflecting WAORCA members' emphasis on professional collaboration, development, and excellence.
• Enhanced Communication Platforms: The launch of a new website has improved resource sharing and collaboration among stakeholders, facilitating more effective responses to ORC challenges.
• Legislative Engagement: WAORCA has actively engaged with policymakers, including hosting Representative David Hackney at meetings to discuss bipartisan strategies for enhancing public safety and addressing retail crime.
• Regional Leadership: As a key organizer of the 2025 Western States ORCA Conference, WAORCA has fostered regional collaboration, bringing together ORCAs from multiple states to share best practices and strengthen collective efforts.

WAORCA's comprehensive approach—combining advocacy, collaboration, and innovation—has set a benchmark for ORCAs nationwide. Its achievements in securing funding, facilitating major case successes, and enhancing stakeholder engagement underscore its deserving recognition as the Outstanding ORCA of the Year.

Congratulations to our inaugural winner - GROC!