Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 6:57 AM AWST

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Conduct search and seizure

Conduct search and seizure

Unit of competency
National Code
PSPREG408C
State Code
C8276
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
3.00
Current Release Date
01/11/2012
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
04/07/2014
Field of Education
091105 - Police Studies
Original Release Date
04/07/2014
Nominal Hours
10
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.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for search and seizure
  • 1.1 The purpose of the search is identified and powers under legislation, policies and procedures relating to the search are confirmed.
  • 1.2 Assessment is made of where items/property/evidence might be obtained with and/or without the use of a search/seizure warrant.
  • 1.3 Authority to search/seize is verified/obtained and intention to search is advised in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational policy and procedures.
  • 1.4 Operational planning to address the range of requirements for a search/seizure is carried out in accordance with organisational guidelines.
  • 1.5 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.
  • 1.6 The need for assistance with the search and/or seizure is identified and organised in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
2. Implement search
  • 2.1 Search is conducted in accordance with legislation, regulations, policies and guidelines.
  • 2.2 Search is conducted according to standard operating procedures to ensure thorough and systematic process is used.
  • 2.3 Equipment and/or technology and other resources are used according to organisational guidelines.
  • 2.4 Where assistance is obtained, the search is undertaken in accordance with lead agency requirements.
  • 2.5 Records are made of the search process, items/evidence uncovered in the search, and subsequent action.
3. Conduct seizure
  • 3.1 Alternatives to seizure are considered and subsequent action is recorded and justified against legislation, policy and regulations.
  • 3.2 Items/property/evidence and any related information are seized or otherwise dealt with in accordance with legal requirements and standard operating procedures.
  • 3.3 Items/property/evidence are appraised, seized, recorded and receipted in accordance with organisational procedures, legislative requirements and the rules of evidence.
  • 3.4 Items/evidence are removed, secured and, if required, disposed of, in accordance with organisational procedures, legislative requirements and the rules of evidence.
  • 3.5 Safety of self and others is protected in accordance with operational policy and procedures.
  • 3.6 Seizure process is conducted in accordance with organisational and legislative requirements and complies with the rules of evidence.
4. Complete post-search activities
  • 4.1 Outcomes of search and seizure activities are recorded and disseminated to required personnel in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
  • 4.2 Where required, follow-up actions are identified, recorded and undertaken.
  • 4.3 Where required, third party claims to title of seized items/property are dealt with in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational policy and procedures.
  • 4.4 Damage to property during the search is dealt with in accordance with legislative and procedural guidelines.
5. Debrief search and seizure
  • 5.1 Feedback on own role in search/seizure is obtained regularly for continuous improvement.
  • 5.2 Search and seizure outcomes, processes and procedures are evaluated and improvements recommended and actioned.
  • 5.3 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.
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
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
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C5784 PSPREG408B Conduct a search and possible seizure Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AWT88 PSPREG009 Conduct search and seizure Unit of competency