The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

outline the range of courts in the state/territory or commonwealth

apply court protocols and procedures

apply court security statutes

apply court security operational procedures including secure court operational procedures.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated gathered over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments to ensure the person can achieve the outcome and apply the competence in different situations or environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed over time and through a range of contexts in order to ensure consistency of performance over a range of situations.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

suitable equipment, courtroom and associated facilities including court security briefing instructions, hand-held scanners, adequate furniture including seating, court security signage such as condition of entry signage, full personal accoutrements

other miscellaneous items such as adequate search tables, mirrors, torches and weapon detection systems.

Method of assessment

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

direct observation

interviewing the candidate

journals and workplace documentation

third party reports from supervisors

written or oral questions.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

communicate effectively verbally and in writing

implement cross-cultural process and procedures

implement customer service organisational requirements

operate relevant safety equipment

operate security scanning equipment

Required Knowledge

court hierarchy

court layout, procedures and protocols

OH&S policies and procedures

organisational policies and procedures (such as relevant legislation; operational, corporate and strategic plans; operational performance standards; operational policies and procedures; organisational personnel and occupational health and safety practices and guidelines; organisational quality standards; organisation's approach to environmental management and sustainability)

relevant court proceedings and terminology

relevant operational legislation

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Organisational requirements may include:

Entering name, address, proof of identification and other relevant information of persons entering the court room on attendance sheet

Searching prescribed persons prior to entry to the court

Searching personal effects are

Searching court room prior to commencement of court for any explosive devices, weapons and/or other items

Refusing entry to persons if the courtroom is full or if they do not comply with entry requirements

Maintaining vigilance to detect any suspicious behaviour

Taking decisive action in response to security breaches and breaches of the law

Seeking, verifying and documenting prior to access being permitted into the courtroom, identification of persons entering a secure court

Relevant equipment may include:

Attendance sheets, including secure court logbooks

Furniture such as tables and chairs placed outside the entry of the courtroom

Hand-held metal detectors

Operational safety equipment such as firearm, baton, capsicum spray, handcuffs, portable radio and/or other issued equipment

Plastic trays for searching personal effects

Signs regarding condition of entry requirements

Weapon detection devices

Relevant standard operating procedures may include:

Building/room search procedures

Court security processes may include:

Searching designated area prior to all sessions

Securing designated area after conducting a building/room search

Court officials and other relevant parties may include:

Court network staff

Custodial staff

Defence counsel

Defendant (if on bail) and defendant's family and friends

Department of Justice staff such as Criminal Coordinators, Prothonotary

Journalists

Judge's associate

Members of the public

Police informant/s

Presiding official/s

Prosecutors

Tipstaves/Registrar

Victim/s and victim's family and friends

Witness/es

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Court security legislation and other relevant statutes

Policies and procedures regarding searches, operational safety, conflict resolution and secure court operations

Prescribed responsibilities of the court may include:

Prisoner transfer

Protected witness security measures

Resultant issues and/or concerns may include:

Communication issues

Equipment failure

Suitability of the selected court room