Elements and Performance Criteria

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. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Operational environment includes:
geographical location
transport mode
hours of operation
the human element: officers, suspects and persons who work, reside in or visit the environment
the situation or intelligence
Security situation can include:
detecting unauthorised and illegal materials, such as drugs, alcohol, weapons, explosives and fire accelerants
protecting property or people
tracking, searching and finding people
preventing escapes
preventing crime
patrolling areas
border protection
providing a presence e.g. at riots and hostage situations or for crowd control
Organisational policies and procedures can include:
particularly those relating to:
deployment of dogs in security situations
search methodology
security of evidence
enabling legislation
workplace health and safety Acts, regulations and guidelines
national and regional policies and procedures
procedural guides, standard operating procedures and work instructions
Capabilities of the dogs can be affected by the following factors:
temperament of the dog
experience and training of the dog
type of situation
location of the situation
environmental factors, including:
temperature
humidity
air currents and wind drift
motivation to work
Prohibited and illegal items that need to be seized and held according to the chain of evidence can vary according to the jurisdiction, its policies and purpose and may include:
opiates
cocaine
marijuana
amphetamines
steroids
other drugs on illegal or banned lists
food
vegetable matter
animals and birds
animal products
money
firearms and associated equipment, such as ammunition
knives and similar weapons
explosives and associated equipment
general weapons, including knuckledusters, bows and arrows
dangerous goods
Records and reports include:
methods of transporting dogs safely and humanely
methods of training dogs, including:
conditioning process
regular evaluation and assessment
records of training activity
dog health and development
communications with internal and external networks
incident report, including:
date and time of incident
date and time of report
persons involved
occurrence
body of report
outcomes
requirements for reports, including that they are:
complete
concise
clear
correct
honest
Administrative requirements may include:
report number
cross-referencing to other reports
file number
number of copies and where each is lodged

Overview of assessment
Evidence for assessment must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments.
Critical aspects for assessment and 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:
the knowledge requirements of this unit
the skill requirements of this unit
application of employability skills as they relate to this unit.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit contains knowledge that may be assessed off the job, for example in a structured learning process, and performance outcomes which should be assessed ideally in the workplace in routine activities and in conjunction with other units with dog-handling skills set.

Valid assessment of this unit requires:
a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when managing dogs in security situations, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and changes to routine
legislation, policy, procedures and guidelines relating to:
deployment of dogs in security situations
safety and welfare of people present in security situations where dogs are involved
safety, health and welfare of dogs working in security situations
security of unauthorised and illegal materials to preserve evidence
access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
observation of performance in routine workplace activities within a range of agreed responsibilities and in various work locations
written and/or oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding
completion of workplace documents and reports produced as part of routine work activities
third-party reports from experienced practitioners
completion of performance feedback from supervisors and colleagues.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, and any identified special needs of the candidate, including language and literacy implications and cultural factors that may affect responses to the questions.
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.