Information about the role of a licensed search officer, including the role purpose, key responsibilities and the skills required.
About the role
A licensed search officer is a specialist operations position within the operational support sector of policing. It's a service deliverer role in the policing professional profiles.
Role purpose
Licensed search officers work in pairs under the direction of a police search adviser (PolSa) on three categories of deployment (counter terrorism, crime and missing persons), using approved techniques to systematically search in situations where a high level of assurance is required.
Key responsibilities
Key responsibility statements show the accountabilities for someone in this role. They focus on what is done, not how it is done.
- Ensuring an accurate search record is maintained which details the progress of the search and individual responsibilities and to maintain evidential records.
- Recording and retaining relevant information and intelligence to assist with future prosecution.
- Identifying terrorist munitions and substances to prevent the use of explosive devices.
- Complying with correct procedures and actions, including minimum safety distances to be taken on an explosive or non-explosive find, including evidence handling to ensure the safety of colleagues and the public and to achieve best evidence.
- Conducting offensive and defensive systematic searches of area, building, vehicle, route, vulnerable point, including search and seal operations, to locate items sought or provide a high level of assurance as to the absence of items.
- Conducting dynamic risk assessments to identify hazards or safety issues prior to and during searches.
- Applying licensed search knowledge and skills in appropriate circumstances as directed by a supervisory officer to undertake effective searches as required.
Competencies, values and core skills
The competency and values framework (CVF) provides clear expectations for everyone working in policing. It describes the behaviours required by police officers and staff to be effective in their roles and uphold the Code of Ethics for policing.
Competencies
The CVF has six competencies, which are split into levels. These levels can be used flexibly to allow for a better fit with frontline and non-frontline policing roles, and at different levels of seniority. This ensures that there is consistency throughout all the policing professional profiles. Some roles may contain different CVF levels due to the specialist nature of the role. Those working at higher levels should also fulfil the requirements of the lower levels.
This role should be operating at or working towards the following competencies.
- We are emotionally aware – Level 1: practitioner
- We take ownership – Level 1: practitioner
- We collaborate – Level 1: practitioner
- We support and inspire – Level 1: practitioner
- We analyse critically – Level 1: practitioner
- We are innovative and open-minded – Level 1: practitioner
Values
The CVF has three values that apply to everyone in policing, regardless of their role or seniority.
Core skills
All roles in policing have nine core skills in common. These are split into levels that represent the different levels of policing. This role should be operating at or working towards the following core skills.
- Communicating and influencing – Level 1
- Problem solving – Level 1
- Performance management – Level 1
- Relationship management – Level 1
- Change management – Level 1
- Managing people – Level 1
- Managing resources – Level 1
- Planning – Level 1
- Use of IT – Level 1
Education, qualifications and experience
Previous education, qualifications and experience
To achieve effective performance in the role, the following training, learning and qualification requirements should be met.
- Successful completion of standard search course, including introduction to search, person search, search for considerations and vehicle search.
- Successful completion of premises search course.
- Successful completion of missing persons search course.
- Successful completion of licensed search officer course level 2 licensed by the College of Policing.
Continuing professional development
Continuing professional development (CPD) enables everyone in policing to develop and gain recognition for their professional skills, knowledge and competence. CPD ensures that we continue to provide high-quality policing to keep the public safe and help to drive career aspirations. Discussion of CPD is usually included as part of professional development review (PDR) conversations.
Learning and accreditation
To achieve effective performance in the role, the following standards, training and learning requirements should be met.
- To remain in license the LSO must undertake a minimum of four PolSa managed searches in a twelve month period, with no period of inactivity greater than six months, and undertake two days of refresher training in each twelve month period.
- Complete all core training and learning required by the force.
- Any exemptions to learning and accreditation requirements are at chief constable discretion, in line with the local force policy.
Professional development
This role should consider the following CPD:
- combining exercises with outside agencies e.g. fire & rescue service, military or search and rescue
- assisting with training packages for search level 1 and level 2
- keeping up to date with developments within the search community through all appropriate publications or online communities
Related roles
You can find other service deliverer roles in the: