A handover is most useful when it explains what is different. Expected contractors, unresolved access issues and a changed patrol instruction can matter more than a long description of an uneventful shift.
Expected activity
Identify people or vehicles expected during the next shift and who has authorised them. Include time windows and any conditions on access.
Incidents and observations
Record the location, time, facts and actions taken. Distinguish something observed directly from information reported by another person.
Open instructions
Highlight temporary access changes, equipment faults or areas requiring attention. Give each item an owner and a route for follow-up.
Keys and equipment
Check the agreed key record, communication equipment and any items transferred between officers. Report a missing or defective item through the assignment process.
Supervisor review
Recurring items should reach a service review. A problem left in consecutive handovers may need a decision from the client or a change to the assignment.
Your planning checklist.
- Expected visitors and deliveries
- New and unresolved incidents
- Temporary instructions
- Equipment and keys
- Actions requiring authorisation
- Supervisor or client follow-up
