SIA Door Search Procedures & Drug Awareness 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What must a door supervisor obtain before conducting a search of a customer?
- The customer's informed consent (Correct answer)
- A written warrant
- Permission from the police
- Authorisation from the DPS in writing
Correct answer: The customer's informed consent
Door supervisors have no statutory search powers; all searches must be based on the customer's free and informed consent, often given as a condition of entry to the venue.
Question 2: A customer refuses a search at the door. What should a door supervisor do?
- Refuse entry politely, as search is a condition of entry (Correct answer)
- Force the search because refusal indicates guilt
- Call the police to conduct the search
- Allow entry and monitor the customer closely
Correct answer: Refuse entry politely, as search is a condition of entry
Refusal to comply with a search condition of entry means the person can be lawfully denied access; no search should ever be forced as this could constitute assault.
Question 3: How should items found during a search be handled?
- Documented, secured and handed to police or management as appropriate (Correct answer)
- Disposed of immediately
- Returned to the customer with a warning
- Kept by the door supervisor as evidence
Correct answer: Documented, secured and handed to police or management as appropriate
Found items should be documented on an incident log, secured and dealt with according to the venue's policy, with prohibited items such as weapons or drugs handed to police.
Question 4: Which area of the body should door supervisors avoid searching without specific same-gender training?
- Intimate areas, requiring a same-gender supervisor (Correct answer)
- The torso
- The arms and hands
- The face and neck
Correct answer: Intimate areas, requiring a same-gender supervisor
Searches of intimate areas must only be conducted by a person of the same gender, and even then only where explicitly consented to and required as a condition of entry.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a 'pat-down' search?
- To detect concealed weapons or prohibited items by feeling over clothing (Correct answer)
- To identify intoxicated customers
- To check for stolen property
- To verify customer identity
Correct answer: To detect concealed weapons or prohibited items by feeling over clothing
A pat-down or rub-down search involves systematically feeling over a person's clothing to detect the presence of weapons, drugs or other prohibited items.
Question 6: When searching bags, what must a door supervisor ensure?
- The owner is present and consenting throughout the search (Correct answer)
- The bag is searched out of the owner's sight
- All contents are removed and photographed
- The search is conducted by two supervisors
Correct answer: The owner is present and consenting throughout the search
The owner should be present during any bag search to maintain transparency, prevent false accusations of theft and ensure consent is maintained throughout.
SIA Door Search Procedures & Drug Awareness 1
What must a door supervisor obtain before conducting a search of a customer?