Patrol Officer

The purpose of this to part-qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Patrol Officer. A Patrol Officer conducts various types of security patrols by observing and monitoring the physical environment or property for suspicious behaviours/activities and potential hazards and/or threats. The officer identifies and responds to potential and/or existing hazards/threats and completes all relevant documentation. The part-qualification will equip learners with competencies in all aspects of legal, regulatory, and procedural security operations, enabling them to operate professionally. The part-qualification providers offer career opportunities within the security environment. Qualifying learners will be employed by public or private security agencies, residential complexes and homes, educational, cultural, financial and health institutions, businesses and retail establishments, investigation service companies, transportation facilities, and organisations throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed. A qualified learner will demonstrate the following attributes: Honesty, Trustworthiness, Punctuality, Critical thinker, and Reliable.

The security industry is globally recognised as the largest and fastest-growing industry, spurred on by the perception of increasing crime affecting individuals, businesses, and government. The security officer occupation is a highly regulated occupation internationally and individuals wishing to practice as the regulatory body must license security officers. The demand to protect goods and services surges, given the progressing technology, and this requires qualified and competent security officers to deter, detect, and investigate criminal and illegal activities, and to maintain secure environments, which is growing steadily. Currently, there are no other similar occupational qualifications for this specific specialisation area registered on the NQF. The part-qualification will benefit societies by ensuring improved security services for members of the community, as well as protecting goods and property. The economy will benefit from increased optimisation of the security service to the community it serves by more efficient and adequate protection and guarding services. This would encourage more businesses to invest and grow in which would increase employment opportunities. The part-qualification contributes to the development of qualified patrol officers in the country. The part-qualification provides progression possibilities in related occupations to security-related qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). A professional registration is needed for the Patrol Officer with the relevant regulatory body. This part-qualification is an entry-level qualification, typically suited for individuals who wish to enter the security industry or those already working in the industry without a formal qualification. It will equip learners with competencies in all aspects of legal, regulatory, and procedural security operations, enabling them to operate professionally. Consultation with stakeholders from the regulatory body, training providers, public and private security organisations formed part of the development process. Typical occupations in which the qualifying learner will operate: Watchman, Patrolman, Guard, Railway Patrol Officer, Mobile Patrol Officer, and Beach Patrol Officer / Beach Guard.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access: Learners may use the RPL process to gain access to training opportunities for a part-qualification if they do not meet the formal, minimum entry requirements for admission. RPL assessment provides an alternative access route into a part-qualification. Such an RPL assessment may be developed, moderated, and conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider that offers the specific part-qualification. Such an assessment must ensure that the learner can display the equivalent level of competencies required for access, based on the NQF level descriptors. RPL for Exemption: For exemption from modules through RPL, learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a part-qualification through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. RPL for awarding credits: Learners who have acquired the stipulated competencies of the modules in a part-qualification through formal, informal, or non-formal learning and/or work experience may be awarded credits towards relevant modules and gaps identified for training, which are then addressed. A valid Statement of Results is required for admission to the EISA, in which confirmation of achievement is provided that all internal assessment criteria for all modules in the related curriculum document have been achieved. Upon successful completion of the EISA, RPL learners will be issued with the QCTO certificate for the part- part-qualification. Quality Partners are responsible for ensuring the RPL mechanism and process for the part qualification is approved by the QCTO. Entry Requirements: An NQF Level 2 qualification.

• Demonstrate the ability to use, inspect, maintain, and report faulty security equipment.
• Conduct a patrol of premises to prevent and detect signs of unauthorised entry or infractions of rules.