This unit describes the skills required to lead and manage major investigations. It includes planning for, leading and concluding an investigation. It also includes guiding the work of investigation team members.

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 security arrangements, 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, in both familiar and unfamiliar circumstances.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Plan a major investigation

1.1

Determine investigation objectives to provide investigative directions

1.2

Determine information sources to inform investigative directions

1.3

Evaluate influencing factors for planning purposes

1.4

Evaluate resource requirements in accordance with investigative objectives

1.5

Identify judicial processes and evidentiary requirements impacting investigations for planning purposes

1.6

Validate investigation plan requirements in line with command and control principles

2

Lead a major investigation

2.1

Analyse information to determine relevance to investigation

2.2

Allocate resources based on investigative plan

2.3

Oversee investigation in accordance with investigative plan

2.4

Monitor investigation activities to develop contingency plans

2.5

Conduct briefing and debriefing with investigation team to share assessed information

2.6

Provide advice and directions to investigation team to ensure investigation objectives are met

2.7

Assess impacting factors to provide investigative direction

3

Facilitate a major investigation

3.1

Monitor expenditure and resource usage to maximise effectiveness and for reporting purposes

3.2

Collate investigation-related material using information management systems

3.3

Conduct risk assessment and adhere to and promote security arrangements throughout investigations

3.4

Assess evidence and intelligence continually to determine impact on investigations and future investigative activities

4

Finalise a major investigation

4.1

Evaluate investigations to establish if further investigative opportunities and avenues of enquiry were considered and actioned

4.2

Record critical decisions for accountability purposes

4.3

Finalise investigative material for referral, recording and archiving purposes

4.4

Appraise investigations to develop recommendations and proposed future actions

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the POL Police Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Not applicable.

Investigation