SIA Door Search Procedures & Drug Awareness 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct way to record a search on the venue's log?
- Date, time, description of person, reason for search, outcome and any items found (Correct answer)
- Only the name and outcome
- The door supervisor's name only
- Searches need not be logged unless an item is found
Correct answer: Date, time, description of person, reason for search, outcome and any items found
Comprehensive search logs including time, description, reason, outcome and items found create an accountable record and protect both the venue and the door supervisor.
Question 2: A door supervisor finds a sealed bag of white powder in a customer's jacket. What should they do?
- Preserve the item without handling it excessively, refuse the customer entry and call police (Correct answer)
- Taste the powder to identify it
- Return the powder and issue a warning
- Dispose of the powder to prevent drug use on the premises
Correct answer: Preserve the item without handling it excessively, refuse the customer entry and call police
Handling the substance minimally preserves forensic evidence; door supervisors must not possess controlled drugs themselves and should call police to take charge of the matter.
Question 3: What distinguishes a 'rub-down search' from an 'intrusive search'?
- A rub-down is over clothing only; an intrusive search involves touching under clothing or inside the body (Correct answer)
- A rub-down is only of bags; intrusive is of persons
- Rub-down searches require police presence
- Intrusive searches are permitted at all licensed venues
Correct answer: A rub-down is over clothing only; an intrusive search involves touching under clothing or inside the body
A rub-down search is conducted over clothing and is standard for door supervisors; intrusive searches involving contact under clothing require much higher justification and consent.
Question 4: Why should two door supervisors be present when searching a same-gender person?
- As a witness to prevent false accusations and ensure professional conduct (Correct answer)
- Because the law requires two supervisors for all searches
- To increase search speed
- To comply with CCTV requirements
Correct answer: As a witness to prevent false accusations and ensure professional conduct
Having a witness during searches protects both the door supervisor from false allegations and the customer from potential misconduct, maintaining transparency and accountability.
Question 5: What are 'club drugs' and why are they particularly relevant to door supervisors?
- Drugs commonly used in nightclub environments such as MDMA, ketamine and GHB, posing health risks (Correct answer)
- Legal highs available over the counter
- Prescription medicines misused in clubs
- Drugs only relevant to police, not security staff
Correct answer: Drugs commonly used in nightclub environments such as MDMA, ketamine and GHB, posing health risks
Club drugs are substances associated with nightlife environments; door supervisors need to recognise signs of their use to identify medical emergencies and manage conflict risks.
Question 6: A customer appears intoxicated by drugs but becomes aggressive when confronted. What is the priority?
- Safety first — de-escalate verbally, call for backup and avoid physical confrontation if possible (Correct answer)
- Immediately apply restraint
- Demand the customer identify the drugs taken
- Eject the customer alone without backup
Correct answer: Safety first — de-escalate verbally, call for backup and avoid physical confrontation if possible
Drug-induced aggression is unpredictable; the safest approach is verbal de-escalation, summoning backup and avoiding solo physical confrontation where possible.
SIA Door Search Procedures & Drug Awareness 4
What is the correct way to record a search on the venue's log?