SIA Search Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What information should be recorded in the search log when a prohibited item is found during a door search?
- Only the type of item found and the name of the door supervisor who found it
- Date, time, location, description of item, patron details if available, action taken, and names of witnesses (Correct answer)
- The patron's full name and address, a photograph of the item, and a signed confession
- A brief description of the item and the time it was handed to the police
Correct answer: Date, time, location, description of item, patron details if available, action taken, and names of witnesses
A comprehensive search log entry should include: date and time of the search, location, detailed description of the item found, any available patron details, what action was taken (e.g., police called, entry refused), and names of any witnesses including other door staff. This creates a proper evidential trail and protects the venue and staff.
Question 2: When setting up a dedicated search area at a venue entrance, which of the following is the MOST important consideration?
- The area should be hidden from public view to avoid deterring potential customers
- The area should be well-lit, covered by CCTV, and offer a degree of privacy for the patron (Correct answer)
- The area should be at least 50 metres from the main entrance to prevent queue disruption
- The area should only be accessible to SIA-licensed staff and police officers
Correct answer: The area should be well-lit, covered by CCTV, and offer a degree of privacy for the patron
A search area should be well-lit for safety and evidence purposes, covered by CCTV for the protection of both staff and patrons, and offer some privacy to maintain the patron's dignity. It should not be completely hidden as this could lead to allegations of misconduct. It should be close to the entrance for operational efficiency.
Question 3: A door supervisor working at a music festival is asked to support a sniffer dog team operated by the police. What is the door supervisor's role in this situation?
- To conduct pat-down searches on anyone the dog indicates, regardless of gender
- To support crowd management, direct indicated patrons to the search area, and maintain order (Correct answer)
- To handle the sniffer dogs while police officers carry out the searches
- To take over the search operation if police officers are called to another incident
Correct answer: To support crowd management, direct indicated patrons to the search area, and maintain order
When working alongside police sniffer dog teams, the door supervisor's role is to support with crowd management, help direct patrons indicated by the dogs to a designated search area, and maintain calm and order. The actual searching following a dog indication is a police matter, and door supervisors should not handle police dogs or attempt to take over police functions.
Question 4: Which piece of legislation specifically addresses the carrying of knives and bladed articles in public places?
- Offensive Weapons Act 2019
- Criminal Justice Act 1988, Section 139 (Correct answer)
- Serious Crime Act 2015, Section 45
- Policing and Crime Act 2017, Section 140
Correct answer: Criminal Justice Act 1988, Section 139
Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 makes it an offence to have a bladed or sharply pointed article in a public place without good reason or lawful authority. The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 extended some provisions (e.g., online sales and delivery of knives) but Section 139 remains the primary legislation door supervisors need to know.
Question 5: Under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, folding pocket knives are exempt from the offence of carrying a bladed article if the blade length does not exceed what measurement?
- 2 inches
- 3 inches (Correct answer)
- 4 inches
- 6 inches
Correct answer: 3 inches
Section 139(3) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 exempts folding pocket knives with a cutting edge of 3 inches (7.62 cm) or less. However, this exemption does not apply to lock knives, which cannot fold without a mechanism being released, regardless of blade length.
Question 6: A patron asks why they are being selected for a search when others in the queue are not. What is the best response from the door supervisor?
- Explain that they were selected because of their appearance and body language
- State that random searches are part of the venue's policy and selections are not based on personal characteristics (Correct answer)
- Tell them it is a legal requirement and they have no choice in the matter
- Ignore the question and proceed with the search without explanation
Correct answer: State that random searches are part of the venue's policy and selections are not based on personal characteristics
If a venue operates a random or selective search policy, the door supervisor should explain that selections are random and not based on personal characteristics such as race, gender, or appearance. This transparency prevents accusations of discrimination and is consistent with the Equality Act 2010. Door supervisors should never suggest searches are legally compulsory.
SIA Search Procedures 3
What information should be recorded in the search log when a prohibited item is found during a door search?