POLINV008
Manage complex investigations


Application

This unit describes the skills required to manage complex policing investigations. This includes determining investigative priorities, managing investigative resources, overseeing investigations, performing quality assurance activities and conducting post-investigation reviews for continuous improvement purposes.

Complex investigations include those that involve serious offences, are high profile and/or sensitive. The management of investigations would usually involve planning and guiding the work of other members of an investigation team.

This unit applies to those working as a police officer in a designated 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 complex investigative procedures, work health and safety (WHS), privacy and confidentiality, risk management, resource management, information management and community engagement.

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 wide range of policing contexts that could be both familiar and unfamiliar.

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. Determine investigative priorities

1.1 Review existing and upcoming investigations to identify priorities.

1.2 Evaluate influencing factors to inform investigations.

1.3 Prioritise investigations to align with jurisdictional objectives.

2. Manage resources

2.1 Identify expenditure and required resources to maximise effectiveness of complex investigations.

2.2 Allocate resources to achieve investigative objectives.

2.3 Re-allocate resources to respond to changing investigation circumstances and requirements.

2.4 Negotiate with stakeholders to secure resources.

2.5 Identify additional resource requirements to achieve investigative objectives.

3. Oversee complex investigations

3.1 Communicate with stakeholders to determine investigative requirements.

3.2 Seek authorisation of investigation plans.

3.3 Monitor investigative activities to ensure adherence to investigative plans.

3.4 Assess impacting factors to guide the direction of complex investigations.

3.5 Apply risk management strategies to mitigate investigative risks.

3.6 Manage security arrangements throughout complex investigations.

3.7 Coordinate communication to facilitate the flow of information during complex investigations.

3.8 Evaluate information, intelligence and evidence continually to determine impact on current and future investigations and actions.

3.9 Record critical decisions to ensure accountability.

4. Perform quality assurance activities

4.1 Review investigative processes continually to determine effectiveness.

4.2 Review critical decisions to ensure compliance with investigative objectives.

4.3 Review exhibit and forensic management plans to manage changing circumstances and investigation requirements.

4.4 Evaluate quality of information, intelligence and evidence continually to meet investigative objectives.

4.5 Adjust investigative activities to maintain investigative focus.

5. Conduct post-investigation activities

5.1 Review recommendations and outcomes of complex investigations to improve future investigations.

5.2 Inform stakeholders of the outcome of investigations.

5.3 Oversee the conclusion of 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.

analysing and reviewing records of current and upcoming investigations to determine jurisdictional priorities for further resource deployment

evaluating factors that are influencing or potentially influencing complex investigation planning and prioritisation processes

designing a complex investigation plan(s)

identifying and allocating resources to ensure maximum effectiveness of a complex investigation(s)

authorising expenditure and resource usage to maximise investigation outcomes

assessing changing circumstances and re-allocating resources to meet changing investigation needs

communicating with stakeholders to secure, maintain and extend resource allocation as needed

designing and managing the oversight of a complex investigation to mitigate risk, provide security and to facilitate communication with stakeholders

reviewing complex investigation progress for effectiveness, critical decision alignment with aims and objectives, exhibit and forensic management and adjustment to changing circumstances

conducting post-investigation effectiveness review of a complex investigation

finalising a complex 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 with respect to complex investigations, resource management, communications, work health and safety, privacy, investigation management, teamwork, inter-agency relationships, financial delegations

jurisdictional information management systems

complex investigation theory, principles and techniques

evaluation theory, methods and techniques

resource management for complex investigations

communication theory and methods

risk analysis theory and methods

team management principles and practices

problem solving and complex decision making

case management methodology

project management theory and tools

change management theory and methods


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