Application
This unit describes the skills required to employ protective service methods, including conducting patrols, searches, access control and arrests and responding to incidents.
This unit applies to those working as protective service officers, operating within a policing environment.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those relating to powers of protective services officers and use of force.
Those undertaking this unit would work autonomously or under supervision with responsibility for their own functions and outputs, and may have limited responsibility for organisation of others. They would complete routine and non-routine tasks in dynamic or unknown contexts.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Undertake patrols | 1.1 Establish patrol objectives to inform patrol plan. 1.2 Identify potential threats or incidents to develop a response plan. 1.3 Check equipment prior to use to ensure operational readiness. 1.4 Maintain personal security and safety by responding to potential and emerging risks. 1.5 Provide a high visibility presence to reassure the public and deter security breaches. 1.6 Identify potential threats and incidents to enable response. |
2. Manage access of persons and vehicles | 2.1 Manage access control systems in accordance with assignment instructions. 2.2 Verify identification of persons and vehicles to validate authority to access. 2.3 Manage entry validations of persons and vehicles to monitor entry and egress. 2.4 Identify indications of unauthorised entry to protect integrity of location. 2.5 Communicate with stakeholders to report incidents that infringe or breach assignment instructions. |
3. Conduct searches | 3.1 Assess situation to identify legal authority to search. 3.2 Apply methodological search processes to maintain safety and locate property, weapons or evidence of offences. 3.3 Manage items located using powers of seizure and retention. 3.4 Document details of search for integrity and accountability purposes. |
4. Respond to threats and incidents | 4.1 Gather information about the incident through observation and investigation. 4.2 Communicate information about the incident to facilitate response. 4.3 Develop plan for initial response to identify roles and responsibilities of responders. 4.4 Assess incident risks and hazards to maximise safety of self and public. 4.5 Establish assembly points to maximise public safety. 4.6 Exercise command and control to facilitate initial response. 4.7 Monitor incident to identify when further assistance is required. 4.8 Complete post-incident documentation for recording and accountability purposes. |
5. Arrest persons | 5.1 Identify breaches of the law to prevent offences occurring or continuing. 5.2 Communicate actions to persons detained. 5.3 Manage care and safety of detained persons in accordance with duty of care requirements. 5.4 Conduct handover to facilitate processing of detained person. 5.5 Release persons from custody when criteria that formed the basis for the arrest no longer exist. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.
maintaining professional presentation
establishing assembly points to maximise public safety
evacuating, cordoning and containing areas
searching persons, property and vehicles to identify prohibited and dangerous items
applying tactical awareness techniques and strategies
assessing risk when handling incidents
communicating effectively to manage incidents and to provide situation reports
directing and controlling traffic
verifying and controlling authorised access and egress of persons, vehicles and dispatched goods
implementing initial response command and control procedures
using defensive tactics
identifying provisions of legislative and organisational requirements relevant to assignment instructions
completing documentation for accountability purposes
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.
legislation relating to the roles and responsibilities of protective services and police powers
cordon and containment principles
critical incident roles and responsibilities
issues/problems that can arise with persons in custody
officer safety principles
potential risks associated with operational protective service roles and responsibilities
protective service responsibilities contained within the National Counter Terrorism Plan
search and evacuation procedures
strategies to optimise safety under a range of operational scenarios
tactical communication
Assessment Conditions
This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.
Consideration must be given to practical assessment for this unit. Refer to advice in the companion volumes.
Consideration must be given to holistic assessment for this unit. Refer to advice in the companion volumes.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.
Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.
Competency Field
Auxiliary