THE GOLDEN RULES OF SEARCHING
MODULE 7 SEARCH PROCEDURES AND TECHNIQUES
1. INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES
On completion of this module you must be able to:
1. List the golden rules of searching.
2. Point out all places that must be covered during the search of a vehicle’s interior, exterior engine compartment, passenger compartment and boot.
3. Point out all places to be covered during the search of commercial vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles.
4. Demonstrate the procedure to be adopted for the routine check persons.
5. Demonstrate the recommended procedures when selecting company employees for searches.
6. Demonstrate which areas to cover when searching a person.
7. Demonstrate the procedure to follow when searching a briefcase, parcels, container or goods.
8. Demonstrate the fully detailed procedure to follow when searching vehicles.
2. AIM
The aim of this module is to ensure that the security officer will be able to search persons. Vehicles and containers thoroughly.
3. THE GOLDEN RULES OF SEARCHING
Identify the person. Search systematically and thoroughly.
Put yourself in the place of the person to be searched and determine where you will hide an article.
Be alert against any possible attack during the search.
A search must always he conducted with in the bounds of the Criminal Procedure Act
4. WHAT TO LOOK FOR DURING SEARCHES.
Suspicious Objects, Weapons, Precious metals, Stolen Property, Prohibited habit forming drugs.
Liquor.
5. SEARCHING OF VEHICLE
Determine if the vehicle may enter or leave the premises
To search a motor vehicle thoroughly takes a long time and searches are normally done superficially.
The time to search a vehicle thoroughly cannot be justified unless there are good reasons to do so.
There are ‘many hiding places in a vehicle but if the search is done systematically and thoroughly most items come to light.
6. PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED
The persons in the vehicle must be informed that they and the vehicle are liable to be searched.
All persons should be told to get out of the vehicle.
One Security Officer must do the searching whilst the second Security Officer stands back and supervise the search. He will inform the searcher which places still to be searched. If person refuses to be searched or have his vehicle searched he will be denied access to the premises.
6.1 Exterior
Number plates.
Under mudguards and bumpers.
Under the ear look for newly painted areas on.
Underside, welded plates or unusual additions.
6.2 Interior. The car must be searched from front to rear,
6.3 Engine compartment. Air filter, Lift battery and look underneath, Heater, Front grill,
6.4 Passenger compartment. Dashboard – pockets andor cubby-holes, Behind dashboard, Cheek weight of doors, Wind down windows, Check all seats, Lift movable mats, Check under seats, Rear window panel shelf.
6.5 Boot. Lift and shake spare wheel and test for weight, Spare wheel compartment, Tool kit, Portion between boot and rear seat, Flooring, All luggage and parcels.
7. SEARCH OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES & MOTORCYCLES & BICYCLES.
7.1 Commercial vehicles.
Between twin rear wheels,
Packing sacks or containers,
Driver’s cab,
All along the chassis,
Under the seat of the cab,
On the inside of the spare wheel,
Hidden against the tail—board of a loaded vehicle,
Look for false bottoms in vehicles with wooden body,
7.2 Motorcycles.
Petrol tank,
Toolbox or case,
Rubber handles grips,
Footrest,
Lamps,
Mudguards and all hollow tubular frameworks should be examined.
7.3 Bicycles.
Handlebars and rubber grips,
Bells and bicycle pumps,
Lamps and dynamos,
The saddle.
All tubular framework,
Under mudguard and chain case,
Sacks and tool bags.
8. PROCEDURES IN DOING ROUTINE CHECKS
Obtain permission to search
Request person to stand with his legs apart and arms raised.
Run hands quickly bur thoroughly over the person’s body, head to toe.
Clothing should be rolled between the fingers to discover even the smallest object.
H suspect let him stand facing the wall or vehicle with his hands on the structure.
Routine checks normally imply the checking of ID. Documents.
The following should be checked:
8.1 Photograph. Compare the photograph in the document with the holder; should the person be wearing a hat, and there is a problem regarding identification ask him to remove the hat.
8.2 Stamp. Careful examination of the stamp to ensure that it is genuine and the original.
8.3 Condition of Document. Check the date of issue against the condition of the document. There should he reason for suspicion is a new document is in poor condition and vice versa, avoid leading questions
9. PROCEDURE IN SELECTING COMPANY EMPLOYEES FOR SEARCHING
The selecting of Company employees for searching can be done electronically or manually. Some company s use Computer, which is programmed to select the persons as they pass the turnstile or door. Other makes use of colour cards or balls, which the employee draws from a bag.
The following must kept in mind when selecting employees to be searched.
Don’t discriminate against race, religion or sex,
Don’t select the same person every day,
Stay friendly.
Don’t make jokes about it.
9.1 SEARCHING A PERSON
When searching a person the following areas must be covered:
Under the arms
The stomach.
Inside the thighs and crutch.
Turn—ups of trousers, seems and padded areas.
Headgear must be removed and searched.
Overalls and clothing in the hands.
10. SEARCHING OF BRIEFCASE OR PARCEL
Do not damage everything.
Obtain permission before searching. Ask owner to open own briefcase or parcel.
Check for false bottoms or compartments. If anything suspicious report to senior