Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

PSPREG408C Mapping and Delivery Guide
Conduct search and seizure

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency PSPREG408C - Conduct search and seizure
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to conduct search and seizure activities. It includes preparing for search and seizure, implementing the search, conducting the seizure, completing postsearch activities and debriefing.Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to individuals in a range of regulatory work environments who have powers of search and seizure under their enabling legislation.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field Regulatory.
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare for search and seizure
  • The purpose of the search is identified and powers under legislation, policies and procedures relating to the search are confirmed.
  • Assessment is made of where items/property/evidence might be obtained with and/or without the use of a search/seizure warrant.
  • Authority to search/seize is verified/obtained and intention to search is advised in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational policy and procedures.
  • Operational planning to address the range of requirements for a search/seizure is carried out in accordance with organisational guidelines.
  • Risk assessment is undertaken to ensure the search/seizure can be conducted safely in accordance with organisational guidelines, and risk management strategies are included in operational planning.
  • The need for assistance with the search and/or seizure is identified and organised in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
       
Element: Implement search
  • Search is conducted in accordance with legislation, regulations, policies and guidelines.
  • Search is conducted according to standard operating procedures to ensure thorough and systematic process is used.
  • Equipment and/or technology and other resources are used according to organisational guidelines.
  • Where assistance is obtained, the search is undertaken in accordance with lead agency requirements.
  • Records are made of the search process, items/evidence uncovered in the search, and subsequent action.
       
Element: Conduct seizure
  • Alternatives to seizure are considered and subsequent action is recorded and justified against legislation, policy and regulations.
  • Items/property/evidence and any related information are seized or otherwise dealt with in accordance with legal requirements and standard operating procedures.
  • Items/property/evidence are appraised, seized, recorded and receipted in accordance with organisational procedures, legislative requirements and the rules of evidence.
  • Items/evidence are removed, secured and, if required, disposed of, in accordance with organisational procedures, legislative requirements and the rules of evidence.
  • Safety of self and others is protected in accordance with operational policy and procedures.
  • Seizure process is conducted in accordance with organisational and legislative requirements and complies with the rules of evidence.
       
Element: Complete post-search activities
  • Outcomes of search and seizure activities are recorded and disseminated to required personnel in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
  • Where required, follow-up actions are identified, recorded and undertaken.
  • Where required, third party claims to title of seized items/property are dealt with in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational policy and procedures.
  • Damage to property during the search is dealt with in accordance with legislative and procedural guidelines.
       
Element: Debrief search and seizure
  • Feedback on own role in search/seizure is obtained regularly for continuous improvement.
  • Search and seizure outcomes, processes and procedures are evaluated and improvements recommended and actioned.
  • The value of assistance and/or joint operation relationships/teamwork is assessed and improvements are recommended and actioned in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor, Performance Criteria, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.

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

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms consistency of performance in conducting searches and seizures.

This will include evidence of:

conducting at least three actual or simulated searches and seizures on three separate occasions or in three different situations/contexts.

adhering to legal, ethical and organisational requirements relating to search and seizure

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to a real or simulated workplace environment that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered while conducting searches and seizures, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine.

Access is required to resources such as:

applicable legislation, policies and procedures

case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of requirements for situations likely to be encountered

search support resources

Method of assessment

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:

case studies

demonstration

observation

questioning

scenarios

simulation or role plays

authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:

people with disabilities

people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

women

young people

older people

people in rural and remote locations


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

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

Skill requirements

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

undertaking analysis and observation

completing records using formality of language and structure

exchanging often complex oral information in a form to suit diverse audiences

responding to diversity, including gender and disability

applying public sector legislation such as occupational health and safety and environmental procedures in the context of search and seizure

Knowledge requirements

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of:

enabling legislation, regulations and guidelines

search procedures

organisational procedures including those dealing with physical evidence or obtaining a warrant, where relevant

roles of expert/other personnel

procedures for dealing with physical evidence

rules of evidence

use of equipment and resources

public sector legislation and standards

occupational health and safety and environmental considerations to ensure the safety of self and others

The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance Criteria is explained here.

Purpose of the search may include:

illicit items

goods to be possessed under court order

physical evidence relating to an offence

Items may include:

personal property, furniture and electrical equipment not excluded from seizure under legislation

documents

financial information

computer equipment

vehicles

illicit items

drugs

plants

wildlife

currency

Evidence may include:

documents

information/data

paper-based or technology-based documents/information

photographs

video

dangerous goods

wildlife

prohibited substances

illicit items

any assets or property seized under State/Territory or Commonwealth laws enabling the enforcement of penalties, judgments and orders

Items/property/evidence might be obtained from:

field search - land/sea/air/waterways

premises - private, government or business

vehicles

vessels

aircraft

cargo

cargo containers

baggage - accompanied or unaccompanied

Authority to search/seize may include:

warrant already issued

no requirement for search warrant under powers of enabling legislation

affidavit

confirming the legal basis for the search and seizure

appropriate information to ground a warrant

requirement to obtain search/seizure warrant before proceeding

organisational approval/s to undertake search and seizure

completion/submission of organisational documents relating to planned search and seizure

the need for assistance from other agencies/jurisdictions

referrals to other agencies

Intention to search may be advised to:

supervisor

colleagues

person being searched

owner

occupier

operator

passengers

crew

legal representatives

other organisations or jurisdictions

Operational planning may include:

planning, with particular reference to own role in the search

authorisation

equipment

personnel

search methods

risk assessment

safety requirements

meeting legislative requirements e.g. not infringing the rights of individuals

Assistance may include:

other officers

other organisations

other jurisdictions

specialist advice

police

Legislation, regulations, policies and guidelines may include:

enabling/principal legislation

other legislation impacting on search and seizure

regulations

organisational policy and guidelines

standard operating procedures

rules of evidence

public sector standards

codes of practice

privacy legislation

rights of individuals and organisations who are subjects of the search

Thorough and systematic process means search includes:

contents

outside packages, packing and containers

consideration of methods of concealment

potential hides

consideration of contents against information/reasonable grounds that gave rise to the search

consideration of the potential for items to be used for information/intelligence

Equipment and resources may include:

search support equipment such as:

X-ray

trace particle detectors (e.g. Ionscan)

forklift scales

fibroscope

boroscope and buster

cameras

video cameras

tools

safety equipment

personal protective equipment

means to secure evidence/samples/assets seized

detector dogs

specialist staff

photographer/s

Records may include:

organisational records

receipts

notebooks

video footage

audiotapes

photographs

contemporaneous notes

Information may include:

addresses

telephone numbers

email contacts

web site addresses

record of anything observed at the scene that is not physical evidence, but may later be relevant

Dealing with items as an alternative to physical seizure may include:

labelling items for later seizure

securing items for later seizure

securing the location of items/evidence

seizing alternative items to the same value

isolating items/locations for safety reasons

changing the locks on seized premises

sign-posting seized property/vessels

Legal requirements may include:

managing chain of continuity of evidence

Securing items/evidence may include:

restricting/controlling access

security classifying information

ensuring continuity of possession of documents and other physical evidence

Safety of self may involve use of:

gas testers

personal protective equipment, such as protective suits, masks, gloves, self-contained breathing apparatus

communication devices

remote location equipment

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
The purpose of the search is identified and powers under legislation, policies and procedures relating to the search are confirmed. 
Assessment is made of where items/property/evidence might be obtained with and/or without the use of a search/seizure warrant. 
Authority to search/seize is verified/obtained and intention to search is advised in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational policy and procedures. 
Operational planning to address the range of requirements for a search/seizure is carried out in accordance with organisational guidelines. 
Risk assessment is undertaken to ensure the search/seizure can be conducted safely in accordance with organisational guidelines, and risk management strategies are included in operational planning. 
The need for assistance with the search and/or seizure is identified and organised in accordance with organisational policy and procedures. 
Search is conducted in accordance with legislation, regulations, policies and guidelines. 
Search is conducted according to standard operating procedures to ensure thorough and systematic process is used. 
Equipment and/or technology and other resources are used according to organisational guidelines. 
Where assistance is obtained, the search is undertaken in accordance with lead agency requirements. 
Records are made of the search process, items/evidence uncovered in the search, and subsequent action. 
Alternatives to seizure are considered and subsequent action is recorded and justified against legislation, policy and regulations. 
Items/property/evidence and any related information are seized or otherwise dealt with in accordance with legal requirements and standard operating procedures. 
Items/property/evidence are appraised, seized, recorded and receipted in accordance with organisational procedures, legislative requirements and the rules of evidence. 
Items/evidence are removed, secured and, if required, disposed of, in accordance with organisational procedures, legislative requirements and the rules of evidence. 
Safety of self and others is protected in accordance with operational policy and procedures. 
Seizure process is conducted in accordance with organisational and legislative requirements and complies with the rules of evidence. 
Outcomes of search and seizure activities are recorded and disseminated to required personnel in accordance with organisational policy and procedures. 
Where required, follow-up actions are identified, recorded and undertaken. 
Where required, third party claims to title of seized items/property are dealt with in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational policy and procedures. 
Damage to property during the search is dealt with in accordance with legislative and procedural guidelines. 
Feedback on own role in search/seizure is obtained regularly for continuous improvement. 
Search and seizure outcomes, processes and procedures are evaluated and improvements recommended and actioned. 
The value of assistance and/or joint operation relationships/teamwork is assessed and improvements are recommended and actioned in accordance with organisational policy and procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PSPREG408C - Conduct search and seizure
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

PSPREG408C - Conduct search and seizure

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: