Shannon W Unit 29 : Security procedures in the public services M4, D2
Task 2 (M4, D2)
The purpose of searching individuals through the method called a ‘Level A rub-down search’ is to
find any concealed weapons, drugs or other objects which the person may be hiding. The officer
conducting the search will explain the process they will be going through both before the search and
for the duration of it. The constraints that may apply during this type of search are; the officer needs
to be the same gender as the subject and there are certain areas which can’t be searched as part of
the ‘level A rub-down search’. Another constraint is that a different approach needs to be made
when searching women who are wearing skirts. Searching an individual who is religious can also
have its restrictions because they may wear headgear for religious or cultural reasons and it needs to
be removed by the subject themselves; they also need to remove religious headwear in private
alongside staff of the same sex.
Due to it being a form of a rub-down search, the officer shouldn’t be asking the subject to remove
any outer clothing. However, if they do suspect they have something hidden underneath their
clothing, then they will either be asked to raise or remove some outer clothing. For privacy reasons,
they must do this in private and out of sight from any officers of the opposite sex. There are other
forms of searches which can be carried out to find contraband. These are either ‘full searches’ which
are basically more in depth searches that require the removal of their outer clothes, or there are
‘intimate searches’ which prison officers are not actually allowed to conduct. This involves using
hands to search inside their mouth or other areas of their body.
In preparation for searching an individual, they should take into consideration their gender so they
can assign someone of the same gender to conduct the search. For my explanation of the search
method, I will be using a female as an example. They also need to take into consideration the
individuals ethics, which can include the respect for their diversity, human rights, religion and
individual & community needs.
To conduct the search successfully, there is a guideline they need to follow. Firstly, the officer who is
searching needs to stand opposite, facing the subject. They will then need to ask if they have
anything on them that they are not authorised to have; this also involves asking them to remove any
jewellery and wristwatches before they start the search. The officer will then proceed to search the
contents of the pockets, including any bags or items they have with them. If they have any headgear,
the next step would be to ask them to remove it and pass it to the officer to search it.
After that, the officer will then proceed to the actual rub down search where they will begin the with
the search of the head by running their fingers through their hair and around the back of their ears.
If the subject has long hair, the officer can ask them to untie it. They will then proceed to look inside
the subject’s nose, mouth and ears to check for anything hidden in them. (The officer can also ask
the subject to raise their tongue to ensure they are not hiding anything underneath it.)
The next step is to then lift their collar, if they have one, and feel both behind and around it, as well
as across the top of their shoulders.
It is now time for the officer to ask the subject to raise their arms, to the level of their shoulders with
their palms facing down and fingers apart. The officer will then begin to search each arm individually
by running their hands along the upper and lower side of the arms. They will also check in between
their figures and look at the palms and backs of their hands.
The next step requires the officer to run the flat of their hand underneath and from the shoulders to
the top of the bra. While doing this, the officer has to be cautious not to touch their breasts.
Task 2 (M4, D2)
The purpose of searching individuals through the method called a ‘Level A rub-down search’ is to
find any concealed weapons, drugs or other objects which the person may be hiding. The officer
conducting the search will explain the process they will be going through both before the search and
for the duration of it. The constraints that may apply during this type of search are; the officer needs
to be the same gender as the subject and there are certain areas which can’t be searched as part of
the ‘level A rub-down search’. Another constraint is that a different approach needs to be made
when searching women who are wearing skirts. Searching an individual who is religious can also
have its restrictions because they may wear headgear for religious or cultural reasons and it needs to
be removed by the subject themselves; they also need to remove religious headwear in private
alongside staff of the same sex.
Due to it being a form of a rub-down search, the officer shouldn’t be asking the subject to remove
any outer clothing. However, if they do suspect they have something hidden underneath their
clothing, then they will either be asked to raise or remove some outer clothing. For privacy reasons,
they must do this in private and out of sight from any officers of the opposite sex. There are other
forms of searches which can be carried out to find contraband. These are either ‘full searches’ which
are basically more in depth searches that require the removal of their outer clothes, or there are
‘intimate searches’ which prison officers are not actually allowed to conduct. This involves using
hands to search inside their mouth or other areas of their body.
In preparation for searching an individual, they should take into consideration their gender so they
can assign someone of the same gender to conduct the search. For my explanation of the search
method, I will be using a female as an example. They also need to take into consideration the
individuals ethics, which can include the respect for their diversity, human rights, religion and
individual & community needs.
To conduct the search successfully, there is a guideline they need to follow. Firstly, the officer who is
searching needs to stand opposite, facing the subject. They will then need to ask if they have
anything on them that they are not authorised to have; this also involves asking them to remove any
jewellery and wristwatches before they start the search. The officer will then proceed to search the
contents of the pockets, including any bags or items they have with them. If they have any headgear,
the next step would be to ask them to remove it and pass it to the officer to search it.
After that, the officer will then proceed to the actual rub down search where they will begin the with
the search of the head by running their fingers through their hair and around the back of their ears.
If the subject has long hair, the officer can ask them to untie it. They will then proceed to look inside
the subject’s nose, mouth and ears to check for anything hidden in them. (The officer can also ask
the subject to raise their tongue to ensure they are not hiding anything underneath it.)
The next step is to then lift their collar, if they have one, and feel both behind and around it, as well
as across the top of their shoulders.
It is now time for the officer to ask the subject to raise their arms, to the level of their shoulders with
their palms facing down and fingers apart. The officer will then begin to search each arm individually
by running their hands along the upper and lower side of the arms. They will also check in between
their figures and look at the palms and backs of their hands.
The next step requires the officer to run the flat of their hand underneath and from the shoulders to
the top of the bra. While doing this, the officer has to be cautious not to touch their breasts.
