This unit of competency has wide application in the security industry in those roles involving security screening and search activities. In relation to the identification of drugs, competency involves a reporting function rather than law enforcement. The knowledge and skills described in this unit are to be applied within relevant legislative and organisational guidelines.

This unit focuses on the screening function and includes search of personal effects. It does not cover standard responses to security risk situations in the screening process, for example restraint and detention of persons which are covered by units such as CPPSEC2004A Respond to security risk situation. It does not include image interpretation which is covered by the unit CPPSEC2006A Screen items.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Prepare for screening.

1.1 Applicable provisions of legislative and organisational requirements relevant to screening operations are identified and complied with.

1.2 Assignment instructions are obtained and clarified as required with relevant persons.

1.3 Personal dress and presentation is maintained in accordance with client and organisational requirements.

1.4 Screening equipment is checked for operational effectiveness in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

1.5 Equipment faults or damage are identified and reported in accordance with organisational procedures.

2Screen people.

2.1 People are screened using screening equipment appropriate to the purpose.

2.2 Flow of people through screening point is controlled in accordance with organisational procedures.

2.3 People are directed through screening process using communication which is courteous, professional and sensitive to individual social and cultural differences.

2.4 Special methods and requirements are applied when screening infants and persons withspecial needs in accordance with organisational procedures.

2.5 People and equipment are closely monitored to promptly identify prohibited or dangerous items.

2.6 Prohibited or dangerous items are identified and appropriate response implemented in accordance with legislative requirements.

3Undertake search of persons and personal effects.

3.1 Need for search of persons and personal effects is identified in accordance with legislative requirements.

3.2 Authority to undertake search of persons and personal effects is confirmed with relevant persons.

3.3 Persons are informed of the purpose and procedures to be used in the search using effective interpersonal techniques in accordance with legislative requirements.

3.4 Search is carried out in a professional and courteous manner in accordance with organisational procedures and legislative requirements.

3.5 Personal search details are reported and documentation maintained in accordance with organisational procedures.

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

Required skills

accurately identify prohibited and dangerous items

check, set up and operate screening equipment (including walk through metal detection, ETD and wands)

communicate effectively with people from different social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and of varying physical and mental abilities

communicate using clear and concise language

comply with applicable legislative requirements, regulations and codes

conduct an inspection and search of people and personal effects

direct the flow of people through a screening point

maintain goodwill and professionalism when dealing with incidents

monitor and identify alarms (audible and visual)

observe and monitor people and items

present a professional image to members of the public and colleagues

recognise suspicious behaviour

record and report information

work effectively as part of a team.

Required knowledge

communication channels and procedures

components, operating principles and characteristics of typical weapons, prohibited items and explosives that may be potentially contained on a person or in personal effects

correct methods and techniques for screening people and personal effects

correct positioning, speed and gait of persons walking through metal detection equipment

duty of care, code of conduct and code of ethics requirements

emergency and evacuation procedures

layout and access points of premises

legal provisions relating to powers and procedures for effecting an arrest

legal provisions relating to search and seizure

limits of own responsibility and authority in relation to dealing with identified prohibited and dangerous items

operational principles of screening equipment

positive alarm response procedures

principles of effective communication including interpersonal techniques

procedures for conducting frisk search of persons and physical inspection of personal effects

procedures for conducting searches of items (baggage, goods, packages etc)

procedures for reporting identified prohibited and dangerous items

procedures for screening infants and persons with special needs

procedures for selecting a random sample of persons for screening with hand held equipment

procedures to handling, isolating and confiscating prohibited and dangerous items

situations requiring notification of a law enforcement officer or emergency services.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

complying with relevant legislation, regulations and procedures during screening and search of people and personal effects

following established procedures to screen people and personal effects using a range of screening equipment

preparing and using screening equipment including conduct of checks and tests for operational effectiveness

responding appropriately to alarms and identified prohibited and dangerous items and completing associated documentation

using culturally appropriate communication techniques to give clear and accurate information to persons involved in screening and search processes

applying special methods and requirements when screening infants and persons with special needs.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment includes:

a setting in the workplace or environment that simulates the conditions of performance described in the elements, performance criteria and range statement.

Resource implications for assessment include:

access to plain English version of relevant statutes and procedures

access to a registered provider of assessment services

access to a suitable venue and equipment

assessment instruments including personal planner and assessment record book

work schedules, organisational policies and duty statements.

Reasonable adjustments must be made to assessment processes where required for people with disabilities. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed using the following methods of assessment:

observation of processes and procedures

questioning of underpinning knowledge and skills.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and suitable to the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the competency being assessed. In all cases where practical assessment is used, it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.

Oral questioning, written or visual assessment may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a choice between oral questioning and written assessment, questions are to be identical.

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Legislative requirements may relate to:

apprehension and powers of arrest

Australian standards and quality assurance requirements

aviation transport security acts and regulations

counter-terrorism

crowd control and control of persons under the influence of intoxicating substances

force continuum, use of force guidelines

general 'duty of care' responsibilities

inspection of people and property, and search and seizure of goods

licensing or certification requirements

maritime transport security acts and regulations

privacy and confidentiality

relevant commonwealth, state and territory legislation, codes and national standards for:

anti-discrimination

cultural and ethnic diversity

environmental issues

equal employment opportunity

industrial relations

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)

relevant industry codes of practice

trespass and the removal of persons

use of restraints and weapons:

batons

firearms

handcuffs

spray.

Organisational requirements may relate to:

access and equity policies, principles and practices

client service standards

code of conduct or ethics

communication and reporting procedures

complaint and dispute resolution procedures

emergency and evacuation procedures

employer and employee rights and responsibilities

equipment use and maintenance

OHS policies and procedures

own role, responsibility and authority

privacy and confidentiality

records and documentation

resource parameters and use

standard operating procedures for screening

storage and disposal of information.

Assignment instructionsmay include:

screening objectives, procedures and timeframes

instructions from supervisor

personal presentation requirements

reporting and documentation requirements

resource and equipment requirements

specific client requirements

work tasks and procedures.

Relevant persons may include:

aviation staff

client

colleagues

maritime staff

security personnel

supervisor.

Screening equipment may include:

explosive trace detection (ETD)

hand-held metal detector (wand)

walk through metal detection equipment.

Checked relates to:

performing required calibrations on screening equipment

setting up screening equipment

testing screening equipment.

Social and cultural differencesmay relate to:

dress and personal presentation

food preferences

language

religion

social conventions

traditional practices

values and beliefs.

Persons with special needsmay include:

a person in a wheelchair who may or may not be able to stand unassisted

a person not in a wheelchair but who requires a walking aid

a person who is hearing impaired

a person who is vision impaired

a person who is vision impaired who has an assistance animal (eg a guide dog)

a person who requires the assistance of a carer

a person with a prosthetic device, body brace or other medical device.

Monitoredmay relate to:

checking equipment to ensure correct working order or need for calibration

ensuring appropriate flow of people and personal effects through screening point

identifying alarms (audible and visual)

identifying suspicious behaviour or items

observing people.

Prohibited or dangerous items:

are those items specified by the client or by federal, state or territory statutes

may be organics, weapons and explosives

may be described under aviation transport security regulations

may be described under maritime transport security regulations.

Responsemay include:

completing relevant documentation

conducting further screening

escalation according to standard operating procedures

establishing a sterile area

notifying a law enforcement officer

notifying emergency personnel

notifying supervisor

verbal or written reporting.

Searchmay involve:

electronic screening

frisk search

pat search

routine or special search of property

scanning of baggage, items, personal effects and property.

Personal effects:

includes carry-on baggage in an aviation environment

means an article or possession of a person.

Interpersonal techniques may involve:

active listening

being non-judgemental

being respectful and non-discriminatory

constructive feedback

control of tone of voice and body language

culturally aware and sensitive use of language and concepts

demonstrating flexibility and willingness to negotiate

effective verbal and non-verbal communication

maintaining professionalism

providing sufficient time for questions and responses

reflection and summarising

two-way interaction

use of plain English

use of positive, confident and cooperative language.

Unit sector

Security

Operations

This unit contains employability skills.