Template:SecuritySOP

Security Policy

Welcome to security. Below you will find your rules of engagement, arrest procedures, weapon permit standards, the chain of succession, contraband standards, and execution procedures. Please be sure to also refer to the alert guidelines in 0.3.

As a member of security, you will be expected to uphold and follow space law, employ proper threat response, and keep peace aboard the station.

1.1 - Rules of Engagement

Security is required to try to talk to the perpetuator about their crimes and ask for them to come quietly before attempting a non-lethal takedown. Charges always need to be read to perpetuators, as soon as is reasonably possible.

The above does not apply if the suspect:

• is armed and is an immediate threat to you or others,
• Is accused and reasonably suspected of committing a capital crime, (but you must escalate properly)
• Has already resisted arrest,
• Commits a crime in the presence of an officer.

Secondly, Security must use non-lethal means where possible and reasonable, except for in exceptional circumstances, chiefly:

• Red Alert;
• Large groups/mobs, where less-than-lethal anti-riot technology should be employed;
• Armory: Anyone breaking into, out of, stealing from, or having stolen from it;
• Your life is in immediate danger, or will be if you fail to secure the threat immediately (necessitating lethals);
• Non-lethals/containment ineffective. This is less applicable if they are cooperating.

Your job is to Protect the Crew and Preserve Order. You should not play Security to kill people. Security is allowed, and in many cases, encouraged to deviate from Space Law in a positive way. However, you MUST have a defensible reason to do so, at the risk of a job-ban should your reasoning not hold up.

Security is encouraged to deputize and arm the crew if most of their department is dead, or in a Red alert scenario.

1.2 - Arrest Procedures

In order to ensure arrests are documented properly and conducted safely, officers should follow the following steps:

1. When a criminal is brought to the brig, they may already have their records set. If not, the arresting officer, Warden, or Head of Security should ensure that the criminal has all applicable highest-degree charges applied to their record.
2. Avoid adding redundant, lower charges to records, unless they are of a different classification or pertinent to be considered. For example, it is redundant to apply both Major Theft (310) and Theft (210), and only Major Theft (310) should be applied; but it would not be redundant to apply both Manslaughter (302) and Breaking & Entering (212).
3. If a criminal has committed a Grand (4XX) or Capital (5XX) crime, consider whether they should be placed into permabrig. While they are permabrig eligible, it should be important to consider the circumstances around the crime(s) committed, and potentially offer them a temporary cell instead.
4. When placing a prisoner in a temporary cell, you should first ensure that they are handcuffed. Consider whether the criminal is likely to be aggressive or attempt to escape; if they are, consider placing them on the bed inside the cell while cuffed. You should also start the timer at the applicable time for their crime before proceeding to the next step.
5. While the criminal is secure, you should then strip them of all items excluding their jumpsuit, radio headset, and ID card. You should strip their ID card only should they have access to open the jail cell door.
6. Search the criminal's possessions for contraband before placing all items into the secure locker, and locking it. Contraband should be handled as per the contraband procedures outlined in 1.5. The locker will automatically unlock when the cell's timer finishes.
7. You should always attempt to remove the prisoner's cuffs, but they are permitted to remain on a prisoner if they consistently attempt to force their way out of their cell the moment they are uncuffed.
8. You should ensure that you remember to let the criminal out of security when their timer expires and they are released from their cell.

If a criminal must be permabrigged, officers should follow the following steps:

1. Bring the criminal to the processing area within security.
2. Strip the criminal of all possessions, including their jumpsuit.
3. Place the criminal's possessions in any free permabrig locker; this is a grey, lockable locker in the processing area, and it contains new clothes for the criminal.
4. Dress the criminal in the prison shoes and their choice of a prison jumpsuit or jumpskirt, found in the locker.
5. Issue the prisoner one of the numbered prisoner ID cards, found in a labelled box in the processing area. Their original ID card should be placed inside the locker with all of their other items.
6. Only if the prisoner is paroled should any items inside their locker be returned. If any items are considered contraband, however, they should instead be placed in the appropriate contraband locker.
7. Ensure to bring the prisoner a new PDA from the Head of Personnel, and a new radio headset (without any encryption keys) within a reasonable timeframe.

1.3 - Departmental Guards

Departmental guards are members of a specific department that act as a bridge between security and members of that department. While they are not security officers, they do have expanded permissions and access.

Departmental guards may have access to security (as per their ID cards). Depending on the alert, departmental guards are permitted different equipment. This follows the alert procedures outlines below, where departmental guards are treated as members of security only for the purpose of weapons and armor possession.

Departmental guards may not place a crewmember in jail (perma or temporary), but may perform an arrest. If a departmental guard arrests someone, they must take them to a member of security or the security department, where a member of security will process them accordingly. Departmental guards cannot set jail timers.

On Amber or above, departmental guards are the prime candidate for being deputized by security, and Nanotrasen encourages this action. While the Head of Security (not Warden) can deputize on any alert, Nanotrasen recommends Amber and departmental guards as a good "who" and "when". When deputized, departmental guards become fully-fledged members of security, and are treated as security officers.

Due to their permissions, departmental guards are subject to ComSec crimes, and can be demoting for violating them.

1.4 - Further Alert Procedures

For the quick-ref alert procedures containing basic info and shorthands, see 0.3.

Members of security have different expectations depending on the current station's alert, and these expectations may vary depending on the threat. Nanotrasen has guidelines, however, on equipment authorized, levels of privacy, and expected levels of force for each alert level.

When an alert lowers: Security should return equipment (weapons, armor, etc.) to the appropriate place (their locker, in the case of personal sidearms, or the armory for other items). Failing to do so may constitute Incompetence (C00).

• Green: The station's default, lowest level of security with the highest crewmember rights. Privacy laws are fully enforced and security is expected to use the minimum possible force.
  • Security members, excluding the Head of Security but including the Warden, may not carry any lethal weaponry, or any non-lethal longarm weaponry; nor can they be issued such. The Warden may possess lethal weaponry only inside of the station's security department, chiefly the Brig. This rule does not apply to weapons issued to members of security at the beginning of a shift, such as the Murphy pistol or Detective's revolver.
  • Crewmembers cannot be searched without a warrant issued by the Head of Personnel, or there is evidence of a major (3XX) or above crime having been committed. Hunches are not evidence.
  • Security members are permitted to obtain, hold, and employ (if necessary) alternative non-armory sidearms if they have a non-lethal option or ammunition available, such as the miniature energy gun, some pistols, etc. A long-arm is not a sidearm, and possessing a long-arm outside of the appropriate alert can constitute Incompetence (C00). Armory-grade impermissible sidearms are the thermal pistols and sawn-off shotguns (any). Knives, excluding any and all swords, are not counted as sidearms, and may be possessed regardless of alert.
  • Security members are forbidden from using lethal force except where failing to do so would lead to the death of another crew member.
• Blue: A fairly common alert - there is suspected hostile activity aboard the station, but the threat is not confirmed, or the nature of the threat has not yet been identified. Privacy laws are still enforced, but are slightly diminished. Security is still expected to use minimum force.
  • Security members, excluding the Head of Security and the Warden, may not carry any lethal weaponry, but may be issued (by the Head of Security or Warden) weapons that can chamber non-lethal ammunition, or have non-lethal modes, such as the Renostar shotgun (beanbag and rubber shells), and the SMART rifle (stun rails); or the Allstar AC-2 energy gun/advanced energy gun. Longarm rifles, even if they may chamber rubber rounds, should still not be issued.
  • Crewmembers cannot be searched without a warrant issued by the Head of Personnel, or there is at least tenuous evidence of a major (3XX) or above crime having been committed. Hunches are not evidence.
  • If necessary, security may wear riot gear, or utilize riot equipment. Riot armor, helmets, shields, and pepperspray weaponry are all classified as riot gear. DRAGnet may utilized, and is not classified as a longarm. The riot woodstock shotguns may only be used with non- or less-than-lethal ammunition, and only where absolutely necessary.
  • Security members may possess further non-standard sidearms, such as swords and the thermal pistols. Sawn-off shotguns do not count, and are restricted to amber or above.
  • Security members may employ lethal force where necessary, but should still employ primarily less-than-lethal and non-lethal force instead.
• Violet: There is a medical emergency, such a level-6 biohazard (mold) or a level-7 biohazard (virus) on the station, that poses a serious threat to the health of the crew. Members of the medical department may issue orders pertaining to the health of the crew to other crew, including members of security.
  • Security members should ensure that they are helping medical however possible. Usually, this includes enforcing the wearing of masks or dealing with a mold outbreak.
  • Security members must obey orders made by members of medical, regardless of rank, unless such orders are unlawful or irrelevant to the emergency at hand. This means that you can be ordered out of the medbay, but cannot be ordered to get coffee for a doctor.
  • If there is combative emergency, such as a level-6 biohazard (mold), or there are one or more confirmed, serious threats (see Amber procedures) at the same time, security is authorized, with the permission of the Warden, Head of Security, or the Captain, to follow the Amber guidelines and possess all permitted equipment granted when on Amber.
• Orange: There is an engineering emergency that threatens the station's integrity or the wellbeing of the crew. Typically, this involves meteors or station-destroying hostile agents.
  • Security members should ensure that they are helping engineering however possible. Usually, this includes keeping crewmembers out of unsafe areas and preventing trespassing where usual barriers (walls, doors) are destroyed.
  • Security members must obey orders made by members of engineering, regardless of rank, unless such orders are unlawful or irrelevant to the emergency at hand. This means that you can be ordered out of an emergent area, but cannot be ordered to get coffee for an engineer.
  • If there is combative emergency, such as a level-5 biohazard (blob), or there are one or more confirmed, serious threats (see Amber procedures) at the same time, security is authorized, with the permission of the Warden, Head of Security, or the Captain, to follow the Amber guidelines and possess all permitted equipment granted when on Amber.
• Amber: There is one or more confirmed, serious threats to the station or its crew. Privacy laws are diminished and security may now possess and brandish all armory equipment, including weapons and armor.
  • All security members, including correction officers, may equip themselves with lethal long-arms and armory-grade sidearms. These should typically be issued by either the Warden or Head of Security, but the armory emergency access (blast door) may be opened instead if necessary.
  • All security members, including correction officers, may equip themselves with armory-grade armor. Security members should consider the present threats before deciding what kind of armor to equip themselves with. Armor should typically be issued by either the Warden or Head of Security, but the armory emergency access (blast door) may be opened instead if necessary.
  • Security members no longer require a warrant to search crewmembers, but should have suspicion of any crime (1XX+) having been committed.
  • Security members should still prefer to use minimum force, but may employ lethal forth where necessary.
• Red: The station or its crew is at risk of destruction, and space law is diminished.
  • Security and Command are authorized to perform field executions where a major (3XX) or above crime has been committed. Security may not perform a field execution for a crew member disobeying orders, unless said orders could lead to the death of another crew member.
  • All crew are authorized access to armory-grade armor and weaponry to help contain the threat, unless otherwise specified by the Captain. This does not necessitate opening Security's armory to crew, but it is recommended to do so unless Cargo is assisting in arming and armoring of crew.
  • Privacy laws are dissolved, and random searches may be performed at any time by any member of security.
  • Departmental guards are deputized as security officers for the duration of red alert and may issue other crew orders.
  • When lowering from red alert, crew should not be imprisoned for contraband possessed unless they resist attempts to confiscate the contraband.
  • Security may, if necessary, employ the use of contraband weaponry. Contraband explosives may only be used on stationwide biological threats, such as a level-5 biohazard (blob).
  • Security should deploy lethal force where necessary to maintain order and lower the security level/deal with the current threat posed.
• Delta: The station's destruction is imminent, and in most cases, the station's on-site nuclear warhead has been activated. Martial Law is in effect.
  • Security members may perform field executions for wilful disobedience of orders, or for any crime committed (1XX+).
  • Security should focus on getting crew into the emergency shuttle or emergency pods
  • Space law is now dissolved, and martial law is in effect. The words of members of security and members of command are law.
• Epsilon: All contracts have been terminated. Do not resist.

1.5 - Weapon Permits

Weapon permits are permits granted to Security and Command members shift-start, and that give the wearer permission to carry lethal weapons, and wear standard security-grade armor. Regular crewmembers who are not command or security can acquire weapon permits, but this comes with a caveat that there may be limitations imposed upon the permitted weapons by the issuing party (such as on weapons that may be owned).

Weapon permit access will stop Officer Beepsky from attacking crew in the hallway for having a weapon, and will show up on security HUDs and permit HUDs, particularly at the Cargo console, which checks for a permit before letting you purchase a weapon. Officers should keep this in mind.

Weapons that do not clearly present their lethality are always considered lethal. The assumption should be that if a weapon is capable of firing lethally, it will be used lethally.

In order to acquire a weapon permit, you can ask the Captain, Head of Security, or Head of Personnel. Reasonably, the Head of Personnel will consult with the Head of Security or Captain before giving a weapon permit to a crewmember.

The Captain or Head of Security should set the price, if any, of a weapon permit. The standard price is 300 credits, but Nanotrasen allows station to set any price they wish. Any weapon permit sales should go to the station's defense budget account, not the Head of Personnel's pocketbook. Doing so is considered embezzlement of defense funds. Additionally, the price of a weapon permit should not be set individually, and should be the same price for every person. Offering discounts or raising the price for specific individuals can constitute Abusing Authority (C02).

A crew member with a weapon permit has been allowed and permitted to carry a lethal weapon and wear basic security-level armor, but this does not always last; the Head of Security, Captain, or Head of Personnel can revoke your weapon permit at any time for any lawful reason.

A weapon permit is automatically rendered invalid when an individual commits a Grand (4XX) crime or above (including ComSec/CXX crimes), and their permit should be removed, alongside their weapons confiscated.

1.6 - The Chain of Succession

Captain -> Head of Personnel -> Research Director -> Chief Medical Officer -> Chief Engineer -> Quartermaster -> Head of Security -> Blueshield -> Nanotrasen Consultant

This is the order that members of command have precedence, but this does not necessarily imply they may issue one another orders. Command members only have direct purview over their department, and they may control access to their department to any member of command excluding the Captain. Members of security, including the Head of Security, must have probable cause.

See 2.2 and 2.3 for the Chain of Command and Chain of Succession in more detail.

1.7 - Contraband and You

Contraband is controversial. The crew want to get their hands on every goodie they can, even if the goodies in question are illegal. If a member of security finds contraband, they should:

1. Apply the appropriate level of crime and punishment to the individual possessing the contraband;
2. Confiscate the contraband, preferably using an evidence bag;
3. and Place the contraband into either:

• • • The regular, lockless contraband lockers if the confiscated article is considered moderate contraband or lower;
    • Or the secure contraband in either the armory or contraband room if the confiscated article is major contraband or higher.

Crewmembers will sometimes possess items that appear to be contraband but are not. It is important to be thorough: check armor rating, branding, and other possessed items, before confiscating an item.

Contraband is authorized to be given to Research & Development as long as it can contribute to technological advancement. Both the Head of Security and the Research Director must agree and be aware that this is happening, and must know which items or articles are being handed to Research & Development before items or articles are handed off.

Some contraband may be sourced from either space or the gateway. This is still considered contraband, and must be confiscated or given to R&D as outlined above.

In cases of emergency, certain contraband can be utilized by members of security in order to stabilize the situation. This is typically restricted to weapons, but explosives may be used in some circumstances There are two scenarios where the use of contraband by security is permitted:

• In the heat of the moment, where a suspect has dropped their weapon (not explosive)
• On Red Alert, where security lacks the appropriate firepower to deal with active threats without employing the use of contraband.
• Contraband explosives may only be used on large-scale biological threats, such as a Level-5 Biohazard (Blob).

Officers found possessing and/or employing contraband outside of the specified above conditions should be charged with both Incompetence (C00) and Criminal Negligence (202), alongside any other applicable charges.

1.8 - Executions

This should be the last resort where possible. Unnecessary executions are punished under 513 in Space Law. Killing other players unnecessarily, especially if you are wrong, will result in you being banned from playing Security.

In situations where Capital Crimes are committed, and other methods of discipline are inappropriate or ineffective, an execution may be deemed necessary. Executions are only for crew and foreign agents. In order to carry out an execution:

• All executions require authorization from Central Command, and a fax or message should be sent for deliberation. If you do not receive a response, you cannot perform an execution. If your request is denied, consider consensual borgification, pacification, or exile.
• The Head of Security and Captain must be notified in order to veto a potential execution. _{If these roles are unavailable, the task falls to the Warden, then finally, a group vote by the Security team.}
• The criminal should receive a trial in order to seek clemency where possible and reasonable.
• The criminal must be permitted to request a type of execution and other accommodations, such as access to a Chaplain.
• It will then be carried out by the Head of Security, or Warden personally. If both are incapacitated, the task falls to the foremost available surrogate.

1.9 - Pacification

Pacification is a surgical procedure that renders an individual largely incapable of directly harming another living being. This is especially useful for violent prisoners.

Pacification is only allowed to be used in the following circumstances:

• A permabrig prisoner has repeatedly attacked members of security, other prisoners, etc., such that the attacked person was put in critical condition;
• A permabrig prisoner escaped permabrig through the use of force, and not non-violent means (such a stealth escape);
• An individual is equipped with martial arts (such as sleeping carp) and is to be permabrigged;
• As a precaution, a prisoner to be executed who is a likely flight risk and has shown violent tendencies may be pacified;
• or You are paroling a former permabrig prisoner who has committed a violent crime (murder, manslaughter, assault).

You may not pacify a non-permabrig prisoner. You also may not pacify a permabrig prisoner who has not shown violent behavior whilst inside permabrig. Aggression and violence during their arrest may not contribute toward a decision to pacify.