I’m often asked about the variety of Search Management and Search Controller courses that are available; what are they like? what is the difference? etc.
Before I include a couple of links to some Search Management/Controller courses I have found on the Internet I wanted to explain how I see the difference in the wordings.
A Search Controllers Course, is one that teaches the practicalities of managing the initial response to an incident – mapping, reflex tasking, bike wheel model and so on. Whilst it may touch on the science and mathematics that lie behind search, it does not try to teach these.
A Search Managers Course, is one that teaches how to use the mathematics of search theory to optimally allocate search resources. Very few police forces in the UK require the use of these mathematics in the initial or first operational period. After this time however, I would expect someone to take over, who whilst they might not use them fully understands the search theory underpinning the search effort.
The person running your search might have either of these types of qualification, and may in many cases use the terms interchangeable [especially search controllers wanting to be search managers, although many so-called search management courses do not teach the mathematics]. However, I would tend to refer to the Search Management/Control/Coordination TEAM managing a search as I would not expect to see one individual running any search – however small [despite the fact I know it happens]. In my mind they are not running the search efficiently or as well as possible, whatever they think!
UKLSI Search Controllers Course;
Obviously one of the best UK search courses [because I teach on it!]. The UKLSI course is a very practical course, all about running the initial search – getting hands-on with maps, sectoring and allocating resources. Used by many ALSAR and Police forces to teach those practical skills often missing in other courses.
International Rescue Training Centre Wales;
This five day Course teaches the principles of effective management of searching for lost persons. Whilst the emphasis is placed on open country search the principles are applicable to a much wider field of search operations. Considerable success has been achieved in the United Kingdom and Eire in finding missing persons quicker, with fewer resources and in a better state of health.
The MREW Courses use the well-tested Search Actions Outline (SAO), which was developed specifically for MREW by one of the world’s leading authorities in the application of search theory to land search…
Just like good, down to earth, detective work is sometimes required to solve a difficult crime, good investigation and the application of basic ‘search theory’ principles can make the difference on a difficult search…
I also found this interesting search management course for non-search trained persons,
Green Man, Missing Person Management Course;
It is aimed at anyone who works with young people – outdoor centres, schools, youth clubs, Scouts and Guides, cadets etc. It equips organisations with key skills in effective management of immediate search techniques, which will crucially speed up finding a missing person. ..
Personally, looking at the course content, I believe this course tries to cover way too much ground and will only give the very barest detail on search techniques and search “management” [a little knowledge is a dangerous thing!] but then I suppose that is what they are hoping to achieve!
Feel free to write your own review of any of the courses, or add links to any others you know about, below:
