Application
This unit describes the skills required to plan police investigations, including identifying objectives, allocating resources and tasks, managing risk and reviewing processes.
This unit applies to those working as police officers, generally in a designated investigation role, who are responsible for the planning and implementation of strategies for the overall management of an investigation.
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 related to resource and case management, investigation processes and techniques, and codes of conduct.
Those undertaking this unit would demonstrate strong autonomy, making independent decisions and accessing support from a broad range of services. The individual would be required to possess strong decision making and problem solving skills, planning abilities and capabilities for continually monitoring changing environments and requirements. The individual would work on complex tasks requiring strong adaptability across a broad range of unpredictable 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. Develop investigation plans | 1.1 Conduct initial assessments to determine if investigations are required. 1.2 Define investigation objectives to provide operational focus and preferred outcomes. 1.3 Analyse information to identify potential investigation directions. 1.4 Identify avenues of enquiry to advance investigations. 1.5 Conduct risk assessments to identify investigation opportunities and limitations. 1.6 Prepare investigation plans to provide direction to investigations and define responsibilities of stakeholders. 1.7 Prioritise investigatory phases, methods and activities to inform sequence of operations. 1.8 Establish communication channels with stakeholders to facilitate flow of information. 1.9 Facilitate recording of information using jurisdictional information management systems. 1.10 Implement investigation plan to achieve investigation objectives. |
2. Coordinate resources | 2.1 Assess and secure resources available to undertake investigation activities. 2.2 Formulate contingency plans to address potential resource limitations. 2.3 Manage resource usage to achieve investigation objectives. |
3. Review investigations | 3.1 Assess investigation plans continually in order to adjust to changing circumstances and requirements. 3.2 Examine investigation to ensure adherence to jurisdictional policies and procedures. 3.3 Finalise the investigation. 3.4 Compare investigation outcomes against objectives of the investigation plan. 3.5 Disseminate review outcomes to inform future improvements in investigations. |
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.
conducting assessment of incident or issue to determine whether investigation is necessary
identifying and selecting investigation methods and techniques
sequencing activities and phases to guide implementation of investigation plan
communicating investigation plan and outcome in writing and orally
identifying and managing financial, human and physical resources
formulating security plan to address security requirements of the investigation, resources, security of exhibits
developing and implementing case management system
communicating with stakeholders to facilitate investigation
demonstrating flexibility and adaptability by adjusting investigation plan
reviewing procedures and outcomes for quality assurance purposes
report writing
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.
jurisdictional policies and procedures related to conduct of investigations
legislation that impacts upon conduct of investigations
resources available to support the investigation
court procedures and evidentiary requirements
government and policy environments within that operations will be managed
investigation principles and case management systems
jurisdictional operational, corporate and strategic plans
security issues and classifications
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.
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
Investigation