Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency involves undertaking operational tasks, including patrols, for the purpose of deterring and detecting non-compliant activities.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.

Application of the unit 

Undertaking patrol operations involves assessing a potential situation for non-compliance with state, territory and commonwealth fisheries regulations, and for risk to patrolling officers.

It also includes the range of communication skills required to handle situational behaviours with due regard for cultural diversity.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Undertake patrols 

1.1. A positive visual presence is maintained while patrolling.

1.2. Situations  are assessed  for potential non-compliance with state, territory and/or commonwealth fisheries regulations and appropriate actions taken, including requests for further assistance.

1.3. Effective communication  is maintained with other relevant fisheries compliance officers and the public, where appropriate.

1.4. Patrolling is undertaken according to jurisdictional requirements and supervisor's instructions or in a manner that optimises achievement of the patrol's goals.

1.5. Communication with the public is courteous and professional  at all times.

1.6. Situational behaviour  of persons is accurately assessed with due regard for cultural diversity .

1.7. Intelligence  gathered while on patrol is shared with other fisheries compliance officers and reported.

1.8. Follow -up actions  are undertaken on completion of the patrol.

2. Establish, maintain and utilise knowledge of the local patrol area

2.1. Features particular to a patrol area  are identified and noted.

2.2. Communication paths are established and fostered within the patrol's community and industry members.

2.3. Fisheries compliance issues concerning a patrol area are identified in the media through internal intelligence and bulletins/notices.

2.4. Patrol area information and issues are analysed and acted upon, where required.

2.5. Communication regarding latest patrol area issues is maintained with work team and supervisor according to jurisdictional information security procedures.

2.6. All actions taken reflect knowledge of latest intelligence.

2.7. Patrol reports are completed for supervisor.

3. Respond to requests for emergency  and other types of assistance 

3.1. All requests for assistance are received and confirmed with supervisor.

3.2. Vehicles and vessels are prepared appropriately to respond to request.

3.3. Staff are fully briefed by authorised personnel on procedures for dealing with emergency situation.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• applying the 'use of force' (restraining and self-defence tactics)
• counselling, conflict resolution, mediation and incident de-escalation
• effectively communicating appropriate instructions/directives to offenders or suspected offenders
• identifying situational behaviours and problems
• minimising workplace risks to self, colleagues and the public.

Language and literacy skills used for :

• completing jurisdictional forms related to evidence and non-compliant activities
• communication within a patrol context, with community and industry members
• reading and interpreting jurisdictional policies and procedures
• writing patrol reports and court briefs.

Numeracy skills used for :

• basic auditing.

Required knowledge 

• anti-discrimination Acts
• disability Acts
• general duty of care responsibilities
• human behaviour (individual and group) and the impacts of age, gender, ethnicity, social background and recreational practices, such as drugs and alcohol
• Indigenous land rights and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods
• jurisdictional laws and regulations relating to fisheries management and fisheries compliance activities
• jurisdictional policy and procedures covering compliance checks related to fisheries management and safety issues/practice
• potential risks associated with operational patrolling
• strategies to optimise safety under a range of operational scenarios
• the 'use of force' and its legal parameters.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit 

Assessment must confirm ability to:

• accurately assess potential situations of non-compliance and communicate effectively with persons involved.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

• jurisdictional policies and procedures for handling situations of non-compliance, potential and actual
• the patrol area in detail.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment may be conducted at the workplace and/or in a simulated work environment.

Resources may include:

• role-play scenarios.

Method of assessment 

The following assessment methods are suggested:

• demonstration on the job or role-play
• short answer questions.

Guidance information for assessment 

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competence should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

RANGE STATEMENT 

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.

Patrols  may be on foot or mobile (e.g. vehicle and vessel) and cover:

• beaches
• dams and lakes
• estuaries
• jetties and boat ramps
• rivers and creeks
• sea.

Situations  include anywhere anyone may be involved in:

• catching
• unloading
• selling
• processing fish stock.

Assessment  may include:

• appreciating the incident
• determining response required
• determining whether security is required
• establishing communications.

Effective communication  may:

• contribute to the safety of officers and the public
• ensure all relevant scenario information is shared between officers present at a specific scene or incident
• ensure lawful directions given are clearly understood by the recipient.

Communication that is courteous and professional  is described in:

• the jurisdictional established code of ethics for dealing with fellow fisheries compliance officers and members of the community/industry.

Situational behaviour  includes:

• a full range of verbal and non-verbal behavioural responses to the presence of fisheries compliance officers or lawful instruction given by such officers.

Cultural diversity  may include:

• recognition of the linguistic and cultural assets in the population as a valuable resource
• respect for and the accommodation of culture, language and religion of others within an Australian legal and institutional framework where English is the primary language.

Intelligence  may include information about:

• forthcoming industry and community events/activities that could be of promotional assistance to fisheries management
• previous suspected non-compliant activities and/or the whereabouts of offenders
• suspicious persons, groups, vehicles, vessels and activities.

Follow -up actions  may include:

• attendance in court
• handling of evidence
• interviews
• preparation of a patrol report for supervisor
• preparation of regulatory notices, court documents or briefs
• provision of advice or intelligence to other police officers
• provision of further information.

Features of a patrol area  include:

• identification of community and industry contacts supportive of the fisheries compliance function
• its geographic location
• its local industry and recreational fishers
• its predisposition, if any, to particular non-compliance activity and community awareness programs (e.g. Fishwatch)
• presence of vessels, boat trailers and vehicles.

Emergency requests  may be for:

• reporting suspicious activity
• search and rescue
• transfer of individuals from other vessels
• transporting individuals to designated places.

Other requests for assistance  may include:

• applying chemicals for fish control
• assistance with electro-fishing
• audit license agencies
• collecting samples
• fish kills
• fish salvages.

Unit sector 

Fisheries compliance

Co-requisite units 

Competency field