C4 Risk Management Group Ltd

MANAGE
SECURITY
INCIDENTS,
BREACHES &
SUSPECTS
Unit Standard 21739

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MANAGE SUSPECTS: IDENTIFICATION, SURVEILLANCE,
RESPONSE, APPROACH and APPREHENSION

Introduction

The nature of your work as a security officer indicates that

sooner or later you will observe someone who you think is
about to commit a crime or offense or is already committing
the offense.

It is extremely important that you understand the law that

you will already have completed in the module ‘Security
Related Law’. This will give you a good basis to start with
when deciding what crimes or offenses the suspect is about
to commit and also what you need to do about it.

Definition

A ‘suspect’ refers to a person who you reasonably suspect of

having committed a crime or about to commit a crime,
offense or action contrary to the law.

The law we are talking about could be the Crimes Act 1961,
Summary Offences Act 1981, Trespass Act 1980, local by-
laws or statutory regulations or any action that threatens
security or safety.

Identifying a suspect

There are many indicators which identify a person as a

suspect. If that person has committed an offence then it is
an easy thing to do. At times however it may require you to
observe carefully and watch the person for a while to
establish what they are doing.

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It is essential that you know the law and in particularly the
ingredients of offences that may be committed at your
security site. You also need to know the rules and policies at
the site. This is particularly important when watching
workers on the site who often turn into suspects.

Without this knowledge you may be making the wrong

decisions and may end up taking the wrong action with
regard to that person.

Some things that may assist you in identifying a suspect are:

• Knowledge of the person

• Seeing them commit a crime or offence
• Furtive action
• Wearing clothing that hides identity
• Trying to hide identity
• Carrying items hidden under clothing
• Hiding in shadowy areas
• Looking out of place
• Watching and observing what people are doing
• Pretending to be lost or waiting for someone
• Avoiding camera locations
• Asking to see someone who is not known at your site
• Changes direction when they see a security officer or
police car
• Lying to you

It does not matter how you identify the suspect, once he or

she is a suspect you then have to make a decision as to
what to do next. In most cases this now becomes your
priority. You may be able to watch the suspect and obtain
sufficient evidence to allow the police to prosecute or you
may need to intervene immediately to prevent a breach of
security or safety to someone.

Surveillance

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It is often said that professional surveillance is an art. Some
operators are born experts and others develop the skill with
extensive training. Unless you have some skills it is better
that you don’t try and follow someone yourself. Also be
aware that your uniform will stand out and identify you as a
security officer.

The best surveillance these days is done with a CCTV

system. Ensure you know how the site system works and be
able to use it to its fullest extent when monitoring a suspect.

Surveillance of the suspect will enable you to gain evidence

and this may form the basis of evidence the Police will use in
a court case. If possible take notes or make reports over
your radio or cell phone. Evidence may be recorded on the
CCTV tape or digital recorder.

These bits of information can be recorded by your control

room or another security officer. If your radio net is recorded
the information is there for you to refer to at a later date.

If you need to follow the suspect yourself, ensure that you

inform your control room, supervisor or back up officer.
Maintain an appropriate distance that allows you to gain the
evidence that you need.

Try and maintain constant surveillance until a time when you

decide that you need to intervene and approach the suspect.
It is likely that you will need to intervene once an offence
has been committed or is likely to be committed.

Response

The response to each situation will vary depending on the

site and what the suspect is doing. Of particular importance
is your own knowledge, experience and skill level.

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In most if not all situations the first response is to inform
someone else, such as your control room or supervisor. Any
situation involving a suspect will involve some level of risk.
You need to assess this risk regularly throughout the entire
operation.
The response also needs to be effective. Again this requires
knowledge of the site and the law, experience and skill.

Other important aspects of the response may include:

• Availability of support staff

• Need for Police support (Officers, dogs and helicopter)
• Weapons
• Intent of the suspect
• Capability of the suspect
• Likely reaction of the suspect
• Known history of the suspect
• Intended offence or crime
• Purpose of the response (Chat or apprehension)
• Safety of security staff
• Safety of site staff
• Company operating procedures

Approach

If you decide to make an approach to a suspect your first

consideration will be your own safety. Plan to approach the
suspect at a place where it is safer for you such as a well lit
public area.

Advise your supervisor or control room of your intentions

and any risks involved. Often it is best to approach with a
backup security officer.

As you get closer you will get a better understanding of the

suspect and his intentions, mental state, sobriety and

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attitude. You will also be able to see any weapons, tools or
property being carried.

It is therefore important that you are alert and cautious.

Maintain a distance that you feel is appropriate and always
ensure you have an escape path in case things go wrong.

Maintain a confident and authoritative manner about you,

but be polite and professional at all times. Communication
between you and the suspect will enable to gain more
information about the suspect, the intended offence and the
risks you face.

Be aware that the suspect may do a number of things once

he becomes aware of your approach:

• Decamp
• Become aggressive
• Attack
• Discard stolen property
• Discard tools

Be prepared for anything when you approach a suspect. One

option that you need to be confident in is making an arrest if
an apprehension is lawful, appropriate and it cannot be
delayed.

Apprehensions and Arrests

If you decide that you need to apprehend the suspect or

offender there a number of important considerations that
you need to consider:

• Ensure you have lawfully apprehended the suspect

• Maintaining you own safety is paramount
• Treat the suspect humanely
• Maintain control of the situation
• Use no force if possible, minimum force if necessary

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 • Manage the crime scene and exhibits
• Communicate with your control room
• Request Police assistance
• Separate suspects
• Do not interview (Police responsibility)
• Remember and record anything the suspect says
• Complete all reports that your company require
• Fill out your personal notebook

Note: This section relates back to the module 21106 Security

Related Law. You will need to have passed module 21106 in
order to pass this module. Relevant law follows but you
should refer back to the Law module if you are not totally
confident in your legal authority and requirements.

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Manage Suspects: Identification, Surveillance,
Response, Approach and Apprehension: Test

1. Define the term suspect:

………………………………………………………………………………
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…………………..…

2. Identify the traits of a possible suspect:

………………………………………………………………………………
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………………………

3. List five (5) risks you may face when approaching a

suspect

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4. Discuss your treatment of the suspect once apprehended

………………………………………………………………………………
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………………………

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5. List two statutes which enable you to arrest a suspect

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………………………

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MANAGE SUSPECTS: POWERS OF SEARCH

As a security officer there may be a time when conducting

your duties that you are required to search someone. This is
a serious situation as it can infringe on the rights of
individuals.

Security officers are only to conduct searches when

authorised to do so;

Generally this will be under two circumstances:

1. Persons not under arrest; and

2. Persons under arrest

Persons not under arrest

Searches under these circumstances must be conducted

with the person’s consent. If consent is not given then a
search under these circumstances would be considered
illegal. This includes the search of the person and their
personal effects (bags, chilly bins, anything being carried).
Vehicles can be searched as well.

This authorisation to conduct searches can be orally or in

writing. Some circumstances where this is in practice are as
follows:

1. At an entrance to a public gathering (meeting,

concert, sporting event etc) where admission is
granted as a result of being searched for
prohibited items.

2. At a place of work where it is a condition of the

employees employment that they must relent to

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 searches when either leaving or entering their
place of employment.

3. In a retail environment where the management

has the right to search on exit those persons in the
shop. Generally this will be advised through
signage.

Persons under arrest

There are no specific powers under law to search persons

who are under arrest. Under these conditions there is no
requirement under law to obtain the persons consent prior to
searching them. It is accepted that under certain
circumstances there will be a requirement to search persons
who have been placed under arrest for the following
reasons:

1. To search for possible concealed evidence in

relation to the crime or offence that they have
been arrested for.

2. To search for possible concealed weapons that

they may use against you or on themselves.

Remember that you are searching for possible evidence of a

crime so all property taken needs to be recorded in writing in
your notebook as soon as possible.

How to search

The following are guidelines for conducting a search.

1. When a person is under arrest a pat down search

procedure will be undertaken.

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 2. You should maintain a clear focus on what you are
looking for. If you make a find and the item is
illegal…depending on the circumstances why the
search is being conducted…then you would
contact the police or employer (as the case
dictates) for them to attend and deal with the
person who has been searched.

3. Any search must be conducted with the minimum

of force.

4. Do not place your hands inside the pockets of a

person or inside their baggage. Get them to empty
them for you.

5. Try not to search someone of the opposite sex

unless it is a life threatening situation.

6. When searching a child (under 14 years) it is more

appropriate for a female to search them usually in
the presence of a parent, guardian or member of
the same sex as the child. Ensure that you are not
alone when searching a child. If in doubt request
the presence of Police for them to undertake the
search.

7. Any finds must be recorded in your notebook; if

possible obtain a signature from the person you
have taken it from.

Checking Identity Documents

Any identity document must be examined closely to

establish the details written upon it and also to ensure that it
is genuine. From this examination the answers to the
following should be established.

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 1. Does the bearer have the correct authority to
enter that area concerned.

2. Does the document appear in any way odd,

different in colour, shape or size.

3. Is there a heat seal cover? If so is it intact?

4. If it is an unusual document, compare it with a

specimen list or seek advise from your supervisor.

Photographs on Identity Cards

Not all identity documents have photographs attached. If a

photograph is produced compare it with the person
concerned and also with photographs or employees or
persons knowing to be wanted. When making a photograph
comparison the following points should be considered.

1. The photograph may be several years old.

2. Present hair style may be different.

3. A beard or moustache may alter a persons

appearance.

4. Head covering, either hair or dress may be

different.

Official Stamps on Identity Documents

All authentic identity documents should bear the official

stamp of the issuing authority. Where a photograph is
attached to the document, the stamp usually covers part of
the photograph. An incomplete stamp, or evidence of
duplicated stamping could indicate that the original
photograph had been removed and replaced by a substitute.

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Questioning

Identity documents, in isolation, are not sufficient to allow

entry to a restricted place. When persons seeking entry are
unknown the following questions should be asked:

1. The purpose of the visit.

2. The person or persons to be visited.

3. The nature of the work to be carried out.

4. The parent company of the person.

If any suspicion remains this line of questioning should be

continued until suspicion is completely eliminated.

Identity, or Identity Documents Considered Suspicious

The following can be used to obtain a more detailed,

verification, using documents.

1. Official number

2. Full name or names from initials.

3. Date and place of birth

4. Date and place of issue of the document.

5. Height

Search of Persons (Constraints)

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 1. The search whenever possible should be
conducted by a person of the same sex.

2. There is no power to require a person to remove

clothing in public other than an outer coat, jacket
or gloves.

3. Strip searches are not to be conducted. They may

only be conducted by the police when a person
has been detained and is at a police station.

4. Cavity searches (intimate body search) are not to

be conducted. If there is a requirement to conduct
one it is to be done by a registered medical
practitioner under the express authority of the
police.

Categories of Search

1. Quick Body Search (In a public place)

2. Detailed Body Search (Out of public eye)

3. Strip Search (At a place of custody)

4. Cavity Search (By a medical practitioner)

Quick Body Search

When dealing with a large number of people and a detailed

body search is not warranted.

This may be a preliminary to a detailed body search when

the immediate requirement is to detect anything which could
be used to harm the searcher, the person being searched or
anyone else.

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This may be a preliminary to a detailed body search when
there is an immediate requirement to secure any evidential
material which could be jettisoned or destroyed before the
detailed search

Detailed Body Search

When there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the

subject is in possession of illegal items.

When there is a high degree of confidence required that the

subject is not carrying anything illegal.

Strip Searches

At a place of custody and when authorised by a custody

officer or his equivalent. It is done once the person has been
detained or placed under arrest.

When to find what is being sought requires such actions.

Examination of body orifices is not permitted.

Intimate Body Search (Cavity Search)

Requires the examination of all body orifices. Except in very

exceptional circumstances this must be done by a registered
medical practitioner.

Records and Reports

The following is a guideline for completing a search report.

1. Details of the person searched.

2. The aim of the search.

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 3. The grounds of the search.

4. The day and time of the search.

5. The location of the search.

6. Details of any significant find.

7. Details of any injury to a person or damage to

property, which appears to the searcher to have
resulted from the search.

Procedure for a Quick Body Search

1. The searcher should not stand directly in front or

behind the subject to avoid being kicked, kneed or
head butted.

2. The searcher should not be distracted or intimidated

and therefore should avoid eye contact with the
subject.

3. The observer should watch for non-verbal

communications…eg increased nervousness or
tension.

4. Ideally the subject should stand with legs slightly

apart and arms extended sideways. Avoid spread
eagling the subject against a wall.

5. The search should be conducted quickly in a

systematic way from head to foot, down one side and
up the other, covering all parts of the body, front and
back. Attention should be paid to pockets and waist
bands where items / weapons may be concealed.
Care must also be taken to search quickly natural

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 depressions in the body such as the small of the
back, armpits, crutch areas and closed hands.

6. The searcher should never pat the subject but use a

stroking / squeezing movement and thus feel for
foreign objects through clothing. When searching
limbs, both hands are used with thumbs and index
fingers touching where practicable.

7. Any baggage or removed clothing owned by the

subject must also be searched. Such items must be
treated with respect.

8. The use of equipment such as hand held metal

detectors can be of assistance, especially when
processing large numbers of people.

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Manage Suspects: Searching: Test

Describe your powers to search at:

a. A public gathering where admission is granted on the

basis of being
searched……………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………….
……………….

b. At a place of work where employment contracts allow for

bag searches to take place.
………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………
…..……………………

c. When a shoplifter has been apprehended at a

supermarket
………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………..………………………

d. If you or the police arrest a person are you allowed to

search that person? ……………………………………………...
…………………………… ………………………………………….
…………………………

e. What are you allowed to search for?

……………………………………………...
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…………………………………

f. Who should search a female?

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………………………………………………………………………………

g. Who should search a male child?

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………………………………………………………………………………

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h. When would you be allowed to conduct a detailed body
search and where would you do that search?
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i. What information would you record in your report after the

search?
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Manage Suspects: Crime Scene Management

Part One: Guarding and Controlling Crime Scenes

Part two: Exhibits

Introduction

Almost on a daily basis these days security officers are

backing up local police by assisting in securing a crime
scene. These crime scenes can relate to any crime often
ranging from drug labs to rape and homicide scenes.

The ultimate purpose of securing and managing a

crime scene is:

• Is to reconstruct criminal activity in a particular place

and

• To locate evidence connecting such activity to other

persons, places and objects, in order to:

1. Prove or disprove the commission of a crime

2. Provide facts as a basis for inquiry
3. Corroborate witnesses and complainants
4. Point to and verify offenders
5. Verify confessions and admissions
6. Exclude possible defences

Guarding and Controlling the Scene

Protecting a crime scene from interference, contamination

and destruction is of paramount importance and it frequently
requires immediate attention to preserve evidence.

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In your role as a security officer you will often be the first
person, other than the offenders, at a crime scene and it will
be incumbent on you to guard and control the scene until
the Police arrive.

This is of critical importance and it is essential that it be

done to the highest standard that you can achieve with
regard to the resources that you have at hand.

In many situations you may have limited resources and will

have to make a judgment call on which matters need to be
attended to first.

In guarding and controlling a scene you should adopt

the following procedures:

• Define the scene area as wide as possible until the

situation can be assessed by Police. Use natural
boundaries where practicable.

• Clear people from the scene as soon as possible and

attempt to get them to remain outside of the scene
until Police arrive. These people could be witnesses,
victims, bystanders or even the offenders, but it is
important to clear all persons from the scene to avoid
any further cross contamination or destruction of
evidence.

• Guard the scene. Do not let any persons into the scene.
Note details of any persons attempting to gain access
to the scene or any persons milling around outside the
scene. They could be possible witnesses or the offender
checking out their handiwork.

• If you have had to move anything in the crime scene,

make a note of what you have touched/moved and
why, ensure you pass this on to the attending Police to
ensure the investigation is not misled by actions you
may have taken and not informed anyone of.

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• Do not enter or contaminate the scene once you have
cleared it. e.g. Do not use the phone or toilet or make
coffee.

• Be aware of the presence of animals e.g. cats, dogs or

rodents eating evidence or damaging the scene.

• Record all movements around the scene and promptly

communicate any information obtained to the Police.

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Manage Suspects: Crime Scene Management

Part Two: Exhibits

Introduction

As a security guard you will often be the first person at the

scene of a crime. Apart from your duties in guarding and
controlling the scene, you must be able to appreciate the
potential evidential value of the physical things involved in
the commission of an offence and items left behind at the
scene.

At any crime scene the offender makes contact with physical

things. Accordingly there is always contamination by the
offender at the scene, no matter how minute.

There will always be a mutual cross contamination of matter

and material between the scene and the offender. For
example glass from a broken window at a burglary scene
may be transferred onto the offender’s clothing and shoes,
while the offender’s blood and clothing fibres may be
transferred onto the broken glass at the burglary scene.

Procedure to take upon finding an exhibit:

• Do not touch or move the exhibit.

• Note time, date and place exhibit found.
• Inform Police as soon as possible.
• Guard the exhibit; do not let any other person touch the
exhibit until
instructed to do so by Police.

To appreciate the importance of potential evidence at a

crime scene you as a security guard must have an
understanding of:

• What is physical evidence.

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 • How to preserve evidence.
• In some situations how to collect evidence.

Physical evidence:

This includes any material, animate or inanimate, solid liquid

or gas, microscopic fragments of dust, fibres and other
traces.

Common examples of physical evidence found at crime

scenes include; footprints, fingerprints, tools, tool marks,
bloodstains, tire tracks, glass fragments, hairs, soil, fabric
fibres ,weapons, other bodily fluids.

Preservation of evidence:

As a security guard your primary role is to guard the scene;

however there may be occasions where preservation of
evidence is necessary.

One of the easiest methods of preserving evidence is to

clear people from the crime scene immediately. This also
helps minimize cross contamination and destruction of
evidence. Often crucial evidence is not able to be seen by
the human eye e.g. fingerprints, blood stains, bodily fluid,
and it is destroyed by persons remaining in the scene

Considerations to make when preserving exhibits:

1. Weather – is it raining? does it look like it is going to

rain? Is it very windy? Will evidence be washed or
blown away, destroyed or diluted? Perhaps you will
need to cover a bloodstained weapon and blood
stained footpath with something to protect it. e.g. an
upturned plastic rubbish tin or an umbrella.

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To avoid documents or money from being blown away you
may have to secure them in a folder or plastic bag.

Consider what the weather conditions currently are or could

be and be prepared to think laterally to preserve the exhibits
from the environmental conditions that occur.

2. Offenders – is the offender still near the scene? Will

he attempt to conceal or destroy evidence?

Always ensure the scene is cleared and refuse to let anyone

back into the scene without Police approval. Record details
of any persons or vehicles acting suspiciously or hanging
around the area. Pass any information to the Police.

3. Security – Is the exhibit in a secure location or

would it be easily uplifted by another person?

Always ensure the exhibit is in a secure location, or is visible

by you. If not, consider appointing another security guard or
reliable member of the public to watch over the exhibit until
Police arrive.
If absolutely necessary and you have serious concerns that
the exhibit will be destroyed or removed, uplift the exhibit
yourself and place in a secure location e.g. the locked boot
of your car, until the Police arrive.

Record all action taken in relation to any movement of

exhibits and pass these details onto Police immediately.

Collection of Exhibits

It is not anticipated in your role as a security officer that you

would be put in the position where you need to collect
exhibits, this role should be left to the specialists, Police and
ESR scientists.

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However on the rare occasions where it is necessary to
collect exhibits the following is a set of guidelines to adopt
when collecting exhibits;

• Note all relevant details about the exhibit, these

include: exhibit description, the exact position where
the exhibit was located, the time you found it, any
other persons who have had contact with the exhibit
and the time you uplifted it.

• Always wear gloves when touching or uplifting

exhibits.

• If none are available and it is essential for you to

uplift the exhibit, touch the exhibit in the area where
it would least likely been touched by the offender
e.g. a screwdriver at the top end of the metal shaft
close to the handle.

• Always note where you touched the exhibit and

forward the information onto the Police at the first
opportunity.

• Each exhibit should be packaged separately, or kept

separately. e.g do not put a shoe left by the possible
offender in the same bag as the bloodied tee shirt of
the victim. Put the shirt in the boot of your car and
the tee shirt on the floor of the front passenger’s
seat.

• Remember the exhibit may be required as evidence

in a court hearing and for that reason the ‘chain of
evidence’ must be maintained. Record all the actions
you take with the exhibit so it can be referred to if
required at a later stage.

Weapons

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The most dangerous exhibit you may come across is a
weapon, and in particular a firearm. Ideally you should
guard the weapon until the police arrive. Do not touch the
weapon at all and cover it to prevent blood and body fluids
from becoming contaminated.

Be very wary of the offender returning and any members of

the public who are too inquisitive.

The Police will be very interested and should provide

assistance to you in a short period of time

Chain of evidence:

Everyone who touches an exhibit makes up the chain of

evidence. Each person must note how they cared for or
safeguarded the exhibit. This becomes evidence for a future
court case.

Therefore remember that if you are involved in securing a

crime scene or securing evidence from the crime scene you
may have to give evidence in court. Ensure that you note
down all the details of what occurred.

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31
Manage Suspects: Crime Scene Management: Test

1. Describe what you would do when you arrive at a crime

scene (Before police arrival)
………………………………………………………………………………
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2. Comment on the following things at the crime scene

Cats and dogs …………………………..

……………………………………………………
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Offenders…………………………………………………………….
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…….…

Witnesses…………………………………………………………………
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………………………………………………………………………………
…

Records…………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………
………….…...

3. Describe three types of physical

evidence……………………………………………………………….
…………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………..

4. What would you do if there was blood on the road at the

crime scene and it was starting to rain? …………….

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……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………….

5. Discuss the issues if finding the offender at the crime

scene………………………………………………….…….
………………………………………………..
……………………………………….…………………..
…………………………………..……………………………..
………………………………………………………………………….
………….

6. What would you do if you found a firearm at the crime

scene? ……………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………..…………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………
….………………………………………………….

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