Page 30 - Door Supervision Training Booklet

How To Search
How the door team goes about actually searching the customers depends on the type of customers who visit the premises, and on what items they are particularly trying to prevent being brought in. Some nightclubs have a policy where every customer is searched prior to entry, whereas others only search odd customers at random, or every 10th customer, for example. Some only search customers who they believe for some reason may be in possession of unauthorised items. Whatever the system for selecting customers for searching is, the same search rules apply. Customers must be informed that the venue has a 'search as a condition of entry' policy, they should be told what items you are searching for, and their permission must be obtained prior to any search commencing.
If it is feasible to do so have an empty table at the search area so that you can ask customers to put the contents of their pockets and bags on it for inspection prior to the outer clothing being searched.
Before you physically touch another person you should ask them: -
• Whether they have anything in their possession that they should not have
• Whether they have anything on them which could injury either themselves or the
supervisor
• Whether they have any knives, needles or other sharps in their possession
If a customer indicates that he has an illegal or unauthorised item in his possession then you must not let him put his hands in his pocket to get it for you. At this point it is advisable to obtain the assistance of another supervisor if you are on your own, to act as a witness to your search and for safety reasons. You should then ask the person to keep his hands where you can see them, and to tell you exactly where the item is. Lightly pat or feel the area he has indicated so that you can ascertain where the item is and in which position. Only when you are sure that you can retrieve the item safely should you attempt to do so. As soon as you have taken the item from the customer you should secure it away from him by either passing it to another door supervisor, or by safely placing it out of his reach so that he cannot get at it.
If, on the other hand, the customer says that he has no unauthorised items in his possession, then you can commence the search, still being aware of obvious dangers. Body searches need to be made in a thorough and systematic way in order that nothing is missed. You should devise your own method of searching, and should use the same system every time, so that you do not forget to search particular areas.
A good way to search is to start at the front at the top and to work your way downwards, then moving position to behind the subject to repeat the process.
Remember To Check:
That the subject’s hands are empty and clearly visible throughout the search
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