This unit of competency has application in the security industry in those roles the handling of guard dogs. Competency requires legal and operational knowledge applicable to relevant sectors of the security industry. The knowledge and skills described in this unit are to be applied within relevant legislative and organisational guidelines.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Prepare for dog patrol.

1.1 Applicable provisions of legislative and organisational requirements relevant to handling guard dogs are identified and complied with.

1.2 Patrol tasks and other relevant assignment instructions are obtained and verified with relevant persons.

1.3 Suitability and standard of efficiency of dog is confirmed appropriate to meet assignment instructions.

1.4 Dog's health, hygiene and stability is confirmed, maintained and monitored.

1.5 Signs of poor health and condition or abnormal behaviour are recognised and promptly reported for remedial action.

2Conduct dog patrol.

2.1 Dog patrol is conducted in accordance with assignment instructions.

2.2 Dog is managed in a manner which provides minimal risk of injury to the dog, the public, and the handler.

2.3 Dog's operating efficiency is maintained and monitored in accordance with animal welfare requirements.

2.4 Injuries to persons or dog are attended to promptly in accordance with organisational procedures.

3Respond to incidents.

3.1 Incidents are identified and assessed for degree of risk to persons, property and premises.

3.2 Situations requiring use of the dog as a security measure are assessed and appropriate response determined.

3.3 Response is adjusted or discontinued in accordance with changing circumstances and personal safety needs.

3.4 Relevant documentation is completed and securely maintained in accordance with organisational procedures.

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

Required skills

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

communicate in a clear and concise manner

comply with applicable licensing or registration requirements

conduct an inspection (baggage, vehicles, property) using dogs

document information and maintain records

estimate and calculate resource and equipment requirements

handle a dog weighing a minimum of 40kgs using safe handling procedures

identify security risk incidents and respond appropriately using dogs

make and implement decisions relating to use of dog

minimise threat to self, dog and others during conduct of security tasks

observe and monitor dog's health, hygiene and stability and recognise health and welfare abnormalities

provide appropriate nutritional requirements

use standard dog commands.

Required knowledge

animal health and welfare guidelines

areas of security operations using dogs

breeds, drives and behaviours of canines suitable to security work

canine health and nutritional requirements

canine infectious and contagious diseases and symptoms

canine security roles and functions

capabilities and limitations of a trained dog

challenge release and arrest procedures for apprehending intruders

defensive tactics for use with and without dogs

documentation requirements and procedures

kennel management including routine and emergency treatment of sick or injured dogs

licensing and registration requirements in relation to the handling, use and ownership of dogs

limitations of dog training for security assignments

maintenance of dog handling equipment

premises and property security requirements including search and confiscation procedures

principles of continuation training

requirements for use of muzzles

risks and hazards associated with training with, caring for and using dogs and appropriate control measures

safe animal handling methods and techniques.

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:

applying general safety procedures when handling a dog, both leashed and unleashed, in a security working environment

applying the correct challenge release and arrest procedures for apprehending intruders

complying with relevant legislation, licensing and documentation requirements for handling a dog in the conduct of security functions

managing the health and hygiene of a dog including detecting signs of ill health or abnormal behaviour

maximising the safety and protection of persons and dog while carrying out patrol and response activities

responding appropriately to rapidly changing circumstances while handling a dog.

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 or written 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:

animal welfare

apprehension and powers of arrest

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

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.

Organisational requirements may relate to:

access and equity policies, principles and practices

business and performance plans

client service standards

code of conduct, code of ethics

communication and reporting procedures

complaint and dispute resolution procedures

emergency and evacuation procedures

employer and employee rights and responsibilities

OHS policies, procedures and programs

own role, responsibility and authority

personal and professional development

privacy and confidentiality of information

quality assurance and continuous improvement processes and standards

resource parameters and procedures

roles, functions and responsibilities of security personnel

storage and disposal of information

use of dogs for security functions.

Patrol tasksmay include:

alarm responses

area denial

crowd control

escort

external inspections

incident responses

internal or external site patrols

location of intruders.

mobile or static patrols

observation

route finding and location identification

scent detection.

Assignment instructions may include:

assignment purpose and objective

assignment tasks and procedures

assignment timeframe

client information

dog transportation arrangements

dog's feed, water and rest requirements

incident and security risk response procedures

reporting and documentation requirements

resource and equipment requirements

route, departure and arrival details

schedules

site layout including access points.

Relevant personsmay include:

animal welfare officers

canine breeders or trainers

clients

colleagues

supervisor

veterinarians.

Suitabilitymay relate to:

breed, drives and behaviours of dogs suitable to security work

compatibility with dog handler (security officer)

designated security tasks

relevant licensing and registration requirements

temperament and attitude

training certification requirements.

Dog patrolsmay include:

patrol of buildings, sites and crowds

search of buildings.

Incidents may relate to:

conflicts between members of the public

demonstrations

fire

persons suffering from emotional or physical distress

persons under the influence of intoxicating substances

persons with criminal intent

persons, vehicles and packages in unsuitable locations

physical threats

security breaches

terrorism

violence.

Situationsmay include:

assisting with an arrest

foot and motor patrols

search of persons and baggage

search of property and premises.

Personal safety needsmay involve:

access to appropriate vehicle

access to specific security equipment

clarification of own role and responsibilities

provision of back-up support

provision of personal protective equipment.

Documentationmay relate to:

dog health

dog training log book

incident reports

logs, journals and activity reports

security notebook

vehicle and personnel movements

written and computer reports.

Unit sector

Security

Operations

This unit contains employability skills.