Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

PUAPOLGD003A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Undertake initial police investigation

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency PUAPOLGD003A - Undertake initial police investigation
Description This unit covers the competency required to conduct initial investigations in response to offences against persons, property and associated public order issues.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit supports the knowledge and skills needed to undertake initial police investigations, including assessing and preserving crime/incident scenes, collecting and analysing information and establishing relevance to the investigation.The unit enables search activities and processing of persons including supporting victims.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Assess and preserve crime/incident scenes and when required, assist in investigation process
  • Crime/incident scenes are correctly assessed and evaluated in preparation for investigation requirements
  • Where necessary crime/incident scenes are correctly secured to facilitate investigation activity and to preserve the integrity of the evidence
  • All actions and reports taken at crime/incident scenes optimise sourcing and preservation of evidence present and its lawful presentation in judicial processes
       
Element: Collect and analyse information relevant to investigations
  • Every avenue for the collection of relevant and reliable information sources is assessed and evaluated in accordance with organisational guidelines
  • Relevant information is legitimately collected and documented
  • Evidence from incoming information is identified, secured and controlled in accordance with organisational guidelines
       
Element: Seize, process and manage exhibits
  • Exhibits are identified, seized and documented
  • Continuity and security of exhibits is ensured to maintain integrity
  • Legislative and administrative procedures for handling, recording, storing and disposing of exhibits are complied with
       
Element: Identify and investigate persons of interest
  • All organisational avenues of inquiry and investigative procedures are considered and utilised to identify persons of interest
  • All relevant information is utilised to identify and locate persons connected to the investigation
  • Organisational policies, guidelines and established Codes of Conduct are applied in the selection of investigation techniques or referral to other personnel for further investigation or advice
       
Element: Conduct searches of persons, property and vehicles
  • Decision to search is made and conducted with due regard to lawful authority, organisational procedures, judgement of evidence at hand and surrounding environment
  • Thorough and meticulous search process that adheres to operational and occupational health and safety (OH&S) policy and procedures is followed
  • Property is seized/collected, recorded and stored in accordance with organisational policies and legislative requirements
  • Any damage and/or injuries are accurately documented as per organisational policies and procedures
       
Element: Process persons of interest
  • Breaches of the law are identified and investigated in accordance with relevant jurisdictional law, policies and procedures
  • Decision to transport and process personsof interest is undertaken in accordance with statute law, organisational guidelines and professional Codes of Conduct
  • Relevant and accurate documentation is evaluated, prepared and submitted as required by law and/or organisational policies
       
Element: Afford rights to persons of interest and victims of crime
  • All members of the community are treated in a fair, equitable and non-discriminatory manner
  • Victims are made aware of their legal rights in a caring and empathetic manner
  • Persons of interest are made aware of, and provided with, their legal entitlements under relevant jurisdictional laws and procedures
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

exercise police powers with tact, discretion and sensitivity in an ethical manner and in accordance with legal and organisational policies and procedures.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time and from across a range of actual/simulated workplace situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace and/or in simulated work environments.

Specific resources for assessment

There are no specific resource requirements for this unit.

Method of assessment

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

direct observation

interviewing the candidate

journals and workplace documentation

third party reports from supervisors

written or oral questions.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

apply the use of force (defensive tactics) including the use of lethal force

command, control, coordinate initial emergency responses at an incident scene

contain and preserve various crime/incident scenes

de-escalate incidents

effectively communicate appropriate instructions/directives to suspects/victims and other members of the public

identify situational behaviour and problems

manage and analyse evidence

mediate

minimise workplace risks to self, colleagues and the public

resolve conflict

use counselling techniques when required

Required Knowledge

general duty of care responsibilities

human behaviour (individual and group) and the impacts of age, gender, ethnicity, social background and recreational practices such as drugs, alcohol

jurisdictional laws, by-laws and regulations relating to offences against persons, property

organisational policies and procedures covering reactive and operational safety issues/practices

potential risks associated with operational policing

relevant legislation such as the Anti-discrimination Act, Disability Act

reporting requirements in relation to operational safety matters

requirements for crime/incident scene preservation and investigation

strategies to optimise safety under a range of operational scenarios

use of force and its legal parameters

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Searches may include:

Gathering intelligence

In settings

In urban /non-urban settings

Locating contraband

Locating evidence

Locating persons

Locating property

Of buildings

Of persons

Of vehicles

Breaches of law may include:

Criminal activity

Social dysfunction

Unlawful activity

Processing persons of interest may include:

Decision to caution, report or arrest

Documentation may include:

Arrest reports

Briefs of evidence

Cautioning reports

Children's court advice

Parole board reports

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Crime/incident scenes are correctly assessed and evaluated in preparation for investigation requirements 
Where necessary crime/incident scenes are correctly secured to facilitate investigation activity and to preserve the integrity of the evidence 
All actions and reports taken at crime/incident scenes optimise sourcing and preservation of evidence present and its lawful presentation in judicial processes 
Every avenue for the collection of relevant and reliable information sources is assessed and evaluated in accordance with organisational guidelines 
Relevant information is legitimately collected and documented 
Evidence from incoming information is identified, secured and controlled in accordance with organisational guidelines 
Exhibits are identified, seized and documented 
Continuity and security of exhibits is ensured to maintain integrity 
Legislative and administrative procedures for handling, recording, storing and disposing of exhibits are complied with 
All organisational avenues of inquiry and investigative procedures are considered and utilised to identify persons of interest 
All relevant information is utilised to identify and locate persons connected to the investigation 
Organisational policies, guidelines and established Codes of Conduct are applied in the selection of investigation techniques or referral to other personnel for further investigation or advice 
Decision to search is made and conducted with due regard to lawful authority, organisational procedures, judgement of evidence at hand and surrounding environment 
Thorough and meticulous search process that adheres to operational and occupational health and safety (OH&S) policy and procedures is followed 
Property is seized/collected, recorded and stored in accordance with organisational policies and legislative requirements 
Any damage and/or injuries are accurately documented as per organisational policies and procedures 
Breaches of the law are identified and investigated in accordance with relevant jurisdictional law, policies and procedures 
Decision to transport and process personsof interest is undertaken in accordance with statute law, organisational guidelines and professional Codes of Conduct 
Relevant and accurate documentation is evaluated, prepared and submitted as required by law and/or organisational policies 
All members of the community are treated in a fair, equitable and non-discriminatory manner 
Victims are made aware of their legal rights in a caring and empathetic manner 
Persons of interest are made aware of, and provided with, their legal entitlements under relevant jurisdictional laws and procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PUAPOLGD003A - Undertake initial police investigation
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

PUAPOLGD003A - Undertake initial police investigation

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: