Planning, conducting and controlling counter terrorism, crime and missing person searches.
The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, understanding, skill, attitude and behaviour of police officers who will perform the role of a police search adviser (PolSA).
At the end of this training, delegates will be occupationally competent to plan, manage, organise and control police search operations.
A PolSA is responsible for the planning and management of police search operations. Search management includes counter-terrorism, crime and missing person searches. PolSAs are qualified to provide advice and guidance on all aspects of police search, including the deployment of non-police assets. Additionally, PolSAs are responsible for ensuring the competence of searchers, including assisting in the training of officers and staff.
| Prerequisites | |
|---|---|
| Duration |
20 days |
| Accreditation |
Yes
Accreditation notes:
On successful completion of the course, delegates are licensed as occupationally competent PolSAs for a period of between three and five years. Operational competence is achieved in force through continuing professional development and assessment by an experienced PolSA. |
| Course contact |
Police National Search Centre, College of Policing
|
Format and assessment
The course is a mixture of instructor-led sessions and practical exercises, completed through both group and individual assignments.
Delegates are assessed through their written work, attainment levels and a series of knowledge checks.
Course content
- Threat, vulnerability and risk.
- Terrorist methods of attack.
- Defensive building search.
- Search support assets.
- Time and resource planning.
- Terrorist attack mitigation techniques.
- Motorway and route searching.
- Briefing senior officers.
- Multi-venue searching.
- Search team management.
- Missing person search, strategy and tactics.
- Profiling missing persons.
- External influences.
- Exit strategies.
About the Police National Search Centre
Our Police National Search Centre (PNSC) is the sole authorised provider of police counter terrorism search, missing persons search and security coordination training for the UK police service. It offers four core courses but can tailor bespoke training for UK or international clients.
The PNSC is a joint police and military unit. Authorised by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), it is the sole provider of training in counter terrorism, crime and missing person search techniques to the UK police service.
With more than 30 years' experience and a unique blend of military and police trainers utilising the expertise of the Royal Engineers and the UK police service, the unit is internationally recognised as the world leader in the development and training of counter terrorism systematic search techniques.
The PNSC delivers a range of specialist courses in search and security. After training, students will be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge required to plan and conduct efficient and effective searches in order to:
- obtain evidence for prosecutions
- gain intelligence
- assist in countering terrorism
- tackle criminality, by depriving criminals of their resources and opportunities
- locate vulnerable missing people
- protect potential targets and key events
Training is delivered using a number of techniques. These include an e-learning modular package for standard search techniques and instructor-led learning coupled with practical and assessed exercises.
Outcomes
Trained search assets have:
- motivation
- high levels of professionalism
- the ability to plan with confidence
- flexibility to respond to changing circumstances
- evidential and forensic awareness
- increased self-assurance
The benefits of trained search assets are:
- consistency of the training and the trained
- higher percentage find rate
- preparation of court-ready documentation
- increased public reassurance
- increased cost-effectiveness
- increased deterrence to terrorists and criminals