Application
This unit describes the skills required to coordinate multi-agency investigations. The content includes the strategic planning and coordination of a multi-agency investigation, its budget and other resources, the identification and provision for operational security of an investigation, and the post-investigation evaluation of the outcomes of such a collaborative investigative exercise.
This unit applies to those working as a police officer in a designated investigation role, in complex police operating environment where multi-agency cooperation is essential to performing a criminal investigation. The working environment would be highly sensitive to multiple risks to operations, participants and assets deployed in the 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 case management, work health and safety (WHS), information management, collaborative relationships, inter-agency contractual arrangements, operational security, financial and people resource management, authority delegations and communications and presentations.
Those undertaking this unit would work autonomously in the management of complex investigations, while collaborating with others in an investigation team. They would be required to possess strong decision making and problem solving skills, leadership abilities and robust communicative competence. They would perform sophisticated tasks in a range of highly sensitive 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. Plan multi-agency investigations | 1.1 Identify external agencies relevant to investigations to inform planning. 1.2 Negotiate with external agencies to determine scope, direction, capabilities and roles within investigations. 1.3 Identify investigation objectives and scope to maintain operational focus. 1.4 Develop investigation plans with identified objectives, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders. 1.5 Confirm inter-agency agreements to formalise communication channels and promote shared understanding. 1.6 Address cross-agency enquiries to facilitate coordination. |
2. Plan multi-agency budget and resource allocation | 2.1 Identify and document resources required for planning purposes. 2.2 Identify access strategies to obtain resources available from external agencies. 2.3 Negotiate with decision makers to access workforce and deployment resources. 2.4 Develop resource management plan to guide multi-agency investigations. |
3. Coordinate agencies in crime investigations | 3.1 Formalise communication channels between agencies to facilitate flow of information during investigation. 3.2 Formalise command structures, roles and areas of responsibility to facilitate control and coordination of investigations. 3.3 Implement strategies to ensure consistent approaches during investigations. 3.4 Inform agencies of their roles, responsibilities and required outcomes to achieve investigative objectives. 3.5 Manage inter-agency conflicts to achieve investigative objectives. 3.6 Review resource allocations and usage to maximise benefits and agency accountability. 3.7 Monitor expenditure and resource usage throughout investigations to maximise investigative objectives. |
4. Implement operational security requirements | 4.1 Assess risks to protect individuals, own organisation and external agencies. 4.2 Identify organisational security requirements for planning purposes. 4.3 Implement security arrangements to protect multi-agency interests and assets. 4.4 Monitor and adjust security arrangements to changing circumstances and requirements. |
5. Review multi-agency investigation | 5.1 Evaluate inter-agency agreements to identify areas of improvement. 5.2 Assess outcomes of multi-agency investigations to determine effectiveness. 5.3 Evaluate flow of information to identify impacting factors. 5.4 Identify performance challenges to improve future multi-agency investigations. 5.5 Communicate review findings to stakeholders. |
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.
designing a multi-agency investigation plan(s) for disclosure to partner agencies
negotiating and documenting multi-agency engagement in investigation(s)
accessing multi-agency resources to implement an investigation(s)
communicating with stakeholders and participants in multi-agency investigation using multiple techniques and tools
delivering reports, presentations and plans within a multi-agency context according to multi-agency protocols and procedures
managing multi-agency information (manually and electronically) in a structured manner for access by all cooperating agencies
coordinating multi-agency personnel to complete an investigation, including adjustment methods to accommodate changing circumstances
demonstrating strategic and operational leadership to complete an investigation
managing a multi-agency investigation budget
conducting, constantly reviewing and reporting on a risk analysis of a multi-agency investigation
identifying and resolving issues to prevent the disruption of a multi-agency investigation
planning and organising work in a multi-agency investigation environment
evaluating the effectiveness of a multi-agency investigation
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 relating to inter-agency collaboration, agreements, resource sharing, privacy, confidentiality, work health and safety, risk management, information management, human resources, financial planning, case management and human resource management
cross jurisdictional legislation that impacts upon the conduct of investigations
high level leadership theory, principles and techniques
complex decision making theory and methods
duty of care and workplace safety responsibilities
resource management principles
operational security principles and practices
advanced project management methods and techniques
internal auditing principles and methods
risk analysis and management theory and practices
advanced investigation planning theory and methods
advanced interpersonal skills including dispute resolution methodology
opportunities, risks and constraints which may hamper the investigation
risk assessment and management techniques
security classifications and requirements
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 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
Investigation