D/Sgt. Howard Mergler
Howard Mergler
Manassas, VA
Detective Sergeant Mergler is an experienced police officer with over 26 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 13 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 2026 Justice X Conference, 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 – Criminal Investigation Division and holds board positions on the Mid-Atlantic Organized Retail Crime Alliance (MAORCA), the National Association of BUNCO Investigators (NABI), the Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail (CLEAR), and the NY/NJ/PA Metro Organized Retail Crime Alliance (METRORCA).
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 2026 Justice X Conference, 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 – Criminal Investigation Division and holds board positions on the Mid-Atlantic Organized Retail Crime Alliance (MAORCA), the National Association of BUNCO Investigators (NABI), the Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail (CLEAR), and the NY/NJ/PA Metro Organized Retail Crime Alliance (METRORCA).
Courses
Training courses currently offered.
Beyond Shoplifting: Investigating ORC
8 Hours
Retail theft can go far beyond your basic individual shoplifter.
These crimes are often committed by highly organized groups who are frequently linked to various other organized criminal entities.
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 theft 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 Criminal and Vehicle Indicators displayed by subjects committing these crimes. This includes behavioral cues like "head on a swivel," transaction patterns, and specific vehicle indicators—such as suspicious positioning and plate manipulation—that are essential for interdiction-focused officers and 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.
These crimes are often committed by highly organized groups who are frequently linked to various other organized criminal entities.
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 theft 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 Criminal and Vehicle Indicators displayed by subjects committing these crimes. This includes behavioral cues like "head on a swivel," transaction patterns, and specific vehicle indicators—such as suspicious positioning and plate manipulation—that are essential for interdiction-focused officers and 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.