Surveillance methods

Surveillance methods used in the gathering of information and intelligence for investigation purposes.

surveillance arrangements: surveillance mechanisms
surveillance approaches
scrutiny arrangements: scrutiny mechanisms
scrutiny processes
scrutiny approaches
surveillance processes

knowledge

cross-sector

Surveillance methods is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Special forces officer: Special forces officers operate in specialised missions such as counter terrorism missions. They perform combat and intelligence missions in order to impede with enemy equipment and installations, and to gather information on enemy strategy and movement.
Navy officer: Navy officers command missions during conflict and peace times, and supervise training and development of their teams. They supervise combat operations of their team, as well as aid missions, and patrolling missions to ensure peace-keeping. Often they collaborate on a regular basis with the HR department of the HQCS for the best planning of the future needs.
Security guard supervisor: Security guard supervisors monitor and oversee the activities of guards who protect properties from vandalism acts and theft. They assign areas to be patrolled by guards on a regular basis, transfer the individual caught trespassing to police custody and develop safety plans and drills for the buildings and employees under their supervision.
Intelligence officer: Intelligence officers develop and execute plans to gather information and intelligence. They investigate the lines of enquiry which would provide them with the necessary intelligence, and contact and interview people who may provide intelligence. They write reports on their results, and perform administrative duties to ensure records maintenance.
Store detective: Store detectives monitor the activities in the store in order to prevent and detect shoplifting. Once the individual is caught red-handed, they take all the legal measures, including announcing the police.
Artillery officer: Artillery officers offer support in battle in the fields of target acquisition, coordination of information, surveillance and weaponry. They are in charge of tactics, and deployment of weaponry on the field. They also lead soldiers.
Private detective: Private detectives research and analyse information to uncover facts for personal, corporate or legal reasons, depending on their clients. They conduct surveillance activities, which includes taking photos, doing background checks and interviewing individuals. Private detectives may help in criminal and civil cases, child custody, financial fraud, on-line harassment and may search for missing people. They compile all the information into a file and hand it to their clients for further action.

Armed forces training and education officer: Armed forces training and education officers train probationary, new academy recruits, or cadets, on the theory and practice necessary to become a soldier or a military officer, and need experience as a military officer themselves as a requirement to instruct. They prepare and present theoretical courses and materials during training on subjects such as law, national and international regulations, defense and offense models, world affairs etc. They also conduct the physical training of the cadets, teaching them care and usage of weapon and machinery, first aid, self defense and offense techniques, military vehicle operations, and putting them through a series of heavy drills and physical training. Armed forces training and education officers manage training plans by developing and updating the curriculum and field training exercises when necessary. They also assist senior officers in preparation for a promotion and generally monitor the cadets’ progress and evaluate their performance through a series of theoretical and physical tests. They prepare performance and evaluation reports for each cadet individually.
Warfare specialist: Warfare specialists perform strategic duties, such as making tactical decisions, detecting and identifying potential threats, and locating targets and objectives. They communicate with the other teams to ensure the efficiency of the operation, and also oversee the safety of the team.

Crowd controller: Crowd controllers keep constant watch of the crowd during a specific event such as public speeches, sporting events or concerts, in order to prevent and react quickly to incidents. They control the entry to the venue, monitor the behaviour of the crowd, handle aggressive behaviour and conduct emergency evacuations.
Security alarm investigator: Security alarm investigators respond to burglar alarm signals and investigate disturbances identified by the alarm system on the clients’ premises. They monitor security alarms and other surveillance devices and contact police in cases of trespassing.
Lieutenant: Lieutenants command troops of platoons of soldiers and lead them in training and discipline exercises. They also perform administrative duties, and function as advisers.
Infantry soldier: Infantry soldiers fight in combat missions or provide aid in peacekeeping missions and other humanitarian services. They handle weapons and provide defence services where they are required, and attempt to complete missions while causing minimal harm.
Security consultant: Security consultants provide security services to clients and individuals that help them preventing, planning and mitigating threats such as terrorism, espionage, theft, and violence to their organisation, including the buildings, operations, and employees. The services they provide depend on their clients’ security needs and requirements and may include services such as threat analysis, security risk management, security programme development.
Armed forces officer: Armed forces officers supervise operations and manoeuvres, assign duties, and command subordinate staff. They ensure efficient communication within and between units and perform training duties. They also operate equipment and supervise equipment maintenance.
Air force officer: Air force officers specialise in flying or ground duties, and supervise a team of air force personnel. They coordinate their team’s training and welfare, and perform duties specific to their area of specialisation.
Bomb disposal technician: Bomb disposal technicians search areas using special equipment such as metal detectors, or using trained animals, for the presence of land mines and bombs, and remove the explosive materials according to safety regulations. After the search for and location of mines and bombs, they disarm them aiming to avoid any risk of detonation, and ensure the area is cleared before disarming and removal procedures.

Surveillance methods is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Security guard: Security guards observe, detect irregularities and protect people, buildings and assets. They maintain security at all times by patrolling designated property areas, controlling access at entrances, watching alarm and video recording systems, asking suspicious individuals for identification and reporting infractions and law breaching activities.
Prison officer: Prison officers supervise inmates in a correctional facility and ensure the security and peace-keeping in the facility. They perform checks and searches to ensure compliance to regulations, monitor visitations and the activities of inmates as well as participate in programs of rehabilitation, and ensure records maintenance.
Army corporal: Army corporals supervise sections of soldiers and perform instruction duties. They also command equipment such as heavy machinery and weaponry.
Customs officer: Customs officers combat the importation of illegal goods, firearms, drugs or other dangerous or illegal items while checking the legality of items brought across national borders. They are government officials who control the documents to ensure entry criteria and custom laws are complied with and control if the custom taxes are paid correctly.
Juvenile correctional officer: Juvenile correctional officers monitor and provide security to juvenile offenders. They ensure the safety of the facility compliant with rules and regulations, compile reports on the daily activities as well as in the case of incidents, and report unusual activity. They also supervise rehabilitation procedures of the offenders.
Hand luggage inspector: Hand luggage inspectors check individuals’ luggage to detect potential threatening objects. They comply with public safety regulations and company’s procedure.

Sergeant: Sergeants command squads as a second in command. They allocate tasks and duties, supervise equipment, and ensure proper training of staff. They also advise commanding officers and perform support duties.
Squadron leader: Squadron leaders command a squadron specialising in different operations, such as aircraft squadrons, ground operations squadrons, or armoured fighting vehicles squadrons.
Army major: Army majors command large units of officers and soldiers, supervise their training, and oversee their wellfare. They also supervise their administration, and equipment management.
Bodyguard: Bodyguards offer protection to their clients against injury, attacks and harassment. They accompany individuals such as politicians and actors to various events and gatherings. Bodyguards observe the surrounding environment, anticipate threats and respond to security emergencies. They may carry and use guns.
Armoured car guard: Armoured car guards ensure the safe transportation of valuable items such as money between locations like stores and banks. They load and unload the vehicle, handle the documentation of the transfer, deliver the items to the correct location and respond quickly to robberies, according to the security protocol in place. They may also handle guns and drive the armoured car.

References

1. Surveillance methods – ESCO