MANUAL
This manual is a departmental policy framework developed for organized, professional and story-driven law-enforcement roleplay. It is intended to establish consistent expectations without replacing officer judgment, natural scene development or the entertainment value of the game.
Where department leadership directives, established legal lore, server rules or game mechanics conflict with this manual, those controlling requirements take precedence. Command staff may authorize a reasonable exception when necessary to preserve fairness, scene quality or operational stability, but significant exceptions should be documented.
Realism supports the experience; it does not replace it. Every policy in this manual should improve consistency, fairness, immersion and the opportunity for all participants to contribute to a scene. When rigid procedure would clearly damage a scene without serving safety, fairness or accountability, members should use sound discretion and explain the decision when necessary.
- The Superintendent is the final approving authority for General Orders.
- The designated policy administrator maintains the master copy, revision log, and publication archive.
- Supervisors are responsible for explaining policy, correcting inconsistent practice and preventing procedure from unnecessarily reducing scene quality.
- Members are responsible for reading new and revised orders and applying them with reasonable roleplay judgment.
- General Orders establish department-wide policy; Special Orders and Training Bulletins provide temporary or instructional guidance.
| MANUAL OWNER | Office of the Superintendent |
| PUBLICATION ADMINISTRATOR | Communications Division Director / Designee |
| OPERATIONAL REVIEW | First Deputy Superintendent / Bureau Chiefs |
| REVIEW CYCLE | Every six months or after a major policy event |
| CURRENT STATUS | In Effect |
| ORDER | TITLE | PRIMARY OWNER |
|---|---|---|
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Recommended companion documents: Department Organization for Command chart, Field Training Evaluation Form, Pursuit Review Form, Use of Force Report, Complaint Intake Form, Press Release Template, Operational Plan Template and Revision Log.
Sections: Purpose and scope | Mission and values | Department components | Rank and appointment structure | Command authority | Lawful orders | Succession of command | Policy administration
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for organization, authority and chain of command. It shall be applied consistently while preserving officer discretion, fair play and meaningful scene development.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
Structure should make responsibilities obvious without turning rank into status. Administrative talent may be recognized through appointments while patrol authority remains tied to demonstrated field competence.
- The Department shall follow the organizational structure approved by the Superintendent. Department-wide policy authority originates with the Office of the Superintendent and is carried out through the designated offices, bureaus, divisions, sections and units.
- Rank, command position and administrative title are separate concepts. An appointment such as Director, Executive Director, General Counsel or Deputy Director grants authority within the assigned function but does not automatically create patrol-command authority.
- Members shall follow lawful orders issued within the official chain of command and shall seek clarification when authority, scope or responsibility is unclear.
- Superintendent of Police: serves as the Department head, establishes executive direction, approves General Orders and appoints command and administrative leadership.
- First Deputy Superintendent: oversees the major operational bureaus and support functions assigned to that office, including the Bureau of Patrol, Bureau of Detectives and Bureau of Counterterrorism.
- Bureau Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs: exercise command over their assigned bureaus, areas and citywide operational groups.
- District and Division Commanders: manage district, division or specialized-command operations, personnel and major incidents within their assigned authority.
- Lieutenants and Sergeants: provide watch-level and field supervision, scene management, approvals, coaching and policy enforcement.
- Field Training Officers: train and evaluate probationary members under the Field Training and Evaluation Program.
- Police Officers: perform patrol, response, enforcement, preliminary investigation, reporting and community service duties.
- Executive Directors, Directors, Deputy Directors, General Counsel and other administrative leaders: manage their designated office, division, section or professional function under the reporting relationship shown in the Department Organization for Command.
- Routine operational questions shall be resolved through the member's immediate supervisor and then elevated through the applicable district, area, bureau or office chain.
- Members may bypass normal channels for emergencies, misconduct complaints, conflicts of interest, protected reporting or a direct assignment from authorized executive leadership.
- When the assigned commander or supervisor is unavailable, temporary operational authority passes to the designated acting member or the highest-ranking on-duty member within that function. Administrative appointees do not assume unrelated field command solely by title.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
Current Department Organization for Command (Attachments 1-7), appointment roster, acting-command designations and policy revision log.
All General Orders.
Sections: Patrol readiness | Beat coverage | Proactive policing | Calls for service | Scene responsibility | Backup and officer safety | Community interaction | End-of-watch duties
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for patrol operations. It shall be applied in a manner consistent with department directives, established legal lore, fair play and sound roleplay judgment.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
Patrol should generate stories, not merely process violations. Officers are expected to create room for conversation, investigation, discretion and civilian participation before rushing toward enforcement.
- Patrol is the Department's primary public-facing function and shall balance enforcement, visibility, service and quality roleplay.
- Members shall not manufacture unreasonable enforcement encounters solely to create action. Enforcement must arise from observed conduct, credible information, calls for service or lawful investigative development.
- Officers shall use discretion consistently and explain decisions when practical.
- Before patrol, members shall be properly uniformed, equipped, logged into available systems and assigned a call sign.
- Officers shall remain within their assigned district unless dispatched, pursuing, assisting another unit or authorized by a supervisor.
- The first unit on scene assumes initial scene responsibility until relieved by a supervisor or specialized investigator.
- Members shall request backup before entering high-risk locations, confronting multiple armed suspects or initiating planned felony enforcement.
- Officers shall clear completed calls with an appropriate disposition and complete required reports before end of watch unless excused.
- Maintain radio awareness and acknowledge priority traffic.
- Protect life first, stabilize scenes second, investigate third.
- Create space for civilian roleplay instead of rushing directly to arrest.
- Use warnings, citations, referrals or release when reasonable and lawful.
- Document major discretionary decisions in the incident report.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
CAD dispositions, incident reports and supervisor notes for major calls.
GO 03-01, GO 05-01, GO 06-01, GO 08-01 and GO 10-01.
Sections: Scheduled briefings | Attendance | Assignments | Intelligence sharing | Equipment checks | Supervisor responsibilities | Debriefs | Handover
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for roll call, watch and shift procedures. It shall be applied in a manner consistent with department directives, established legal lore, fair play and sound roleplay judgment.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
Briefings should create shared direction and useful hooks for the watch. They should never become long meetings that consume the limited time members have to play.
- Roll call is the operational anchor of each peak watch and should be conducted after the scheduled server restart or at a command-designated time.
- Briefings shall be concise, useful and roleplay-focused rather than ceremonial.
- The watch supervisor records attending members and assigns beats, partners, specialty units and call signs.
- Briefings should cover wanted persons, recent violent incidents, officer safety information, active investigations, events, road closures and policy reminders.
- Members shall disclose equipment or certification limitations before deployment.
- Late members shall report to the supervisor before self-deploying.
- At the end of major incidents, the supervisor may conduct a short debrief addressing facts, performance, follow-up tasks and learning points.
- Outgoing watch supervisors shall hand over unresolved incidents, detainees, evidence issues and active operational concerns.
- Target length: 5-12 minutes.
- Do not reveal out-of-character information as in-character intelligence.
- Do not assign every officer to one unit; preserve district coverage.
- Record action items and distribute them through the approved department channel.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
Roll-call notes, attendance and watch handover items.
GO 02-01, GO 04-01 and GO 05-01.
Sections: Authorized uniforms | Rank identifiers | Body armor | Weapons | Vehicles | Equipment accountability | Plainclothes authorization | Damaged or lost property
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for uniforms, appearance and equipment. It shall be applied in a manner consistent with department directives, established legal lore, fair play and sound roleplay judgment.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
Visual standards should support immersion and make assignments easy to recognize while still allowing members enough variety to enjoy their characters.
- Uniforms and equipment shall communicate professionalism, assignment and rank without creating confusion.
- Only approved weapon and vehicle loadouts may be used while on duty.
- Members shall wear the uniform designated for their rank and assignment.
- Supervisors may authorize plainclothes duty for investigative, intelligence or approved special operations.
- Members shall inspect weapons, less-lethal tools, radio, restraints and medical equipment before deployment.
- Department vehicles shall be operated responsibly and returned in serviceable condition when game mechanics permit.
- Lost, duplicated, damaged or improperly transferred equipment shall be reported immediately.
- Members shall not display specialty insignia or use specialized equipment without current authorization.
- Unapproved tactical uniforms for routine patrol.
- Excessive or unrealistic weapon carriage.
- Using department vehicles or equipment for personal activity.
- Misrepresenting rank, assignment or certification.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
Equipment authorizations and loss/damage reports.
GO 02-01, GO 07-01 and GO 09-01.
Sections: Radio discipline | Call signs | Priority traffic | Status updates | Pursuit communications | Plain language | Emergency button or distress calls | Dispatch authority
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for radio and dispatch communications. It shall be applied in a manner consistent with department directives, established legal lore, fair play and sound roleplay judgment.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
Radio discipline should make scenes easier to follow, not force members to memorize unnecessary codes or speak unnaturally.
- Radio traffic shall be brief, understandable and operationally necessary.
- Plain language is preferred unless the server has adopted a standardized code system.
- Units shall identify themselves by call sign and wait for acknowledgment when conditions permit.
- Priority traffic includes officer distress, active violence, pursuits, urgent medical needs and immediate public danger.
- The primary unit provides location, direction, suspect description, vehicle description and requested resources.
- Units shall not talk over emergency traffic except to provide critical safety information.
- Officers shall announce traffic stops, prisoner transports, scene arrivals, hospital trips and out-of-service status.
- Dispatch may regulate channels and assign incidents; supervisors resolve operational disputes.
- Traffic stop: unit, location, vehicle description, plate and occupancy.
- Pursuit: reason, location, direction, speed, traffic, suspect vehicle and requested units.
- Emergency: unit identifier, exact location, threat and immediate need.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
Dispatch records or clips for significant communication failures.
GO 02-01, GO 07-01, GO 17-01 and GO 18-01.
Sections: Legal basis | Stop initiation | Positioning | High-risk stops | Searches | Citations and warnings | Impaired driving | Vehicle disposition
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for traffic enforcement and vehicle stops. It shall be applied in a manner consistent with department directives, established legal lore, fair play and sound roleplay judgment.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
Traffic stops are interaction scenes. Warnings, questions, investigation and discretion often produce stronger roleplay than immediately issuing the maximum citation or arrest.
- Traffic enforcement shall promote safety and generate fair, explainable roleplay.
- Officers shall have an articulable reason before initiating a stop.
- Notify dispatch of stop location and vehicle information when practical.
- Select a location that reasonably protects occupants, officers and traffic.
- Introduce yourself, explain the reason for the stop and request required documents.
- Do not extend a stop beyond what is reasonably necessary without additional lawful cause or voluntary roleplay development.
- Consent searches must be clearly requested and may be refused.
- High-risk stop tactics require reasonable belief of a serious threat or felony involvement and should be supervised when practical.
- Warnings, citations, summonses, arrest and vehicle tow decisions shall be based on total circumstances rather than quotas.
- Reports are required for arrests, pursuits, force, contraband seizures, major crashes and contested searches.
- Routine citations may be documented through the available CAD/MDT system.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
Citations, arrest reports, crash reports and tow records when applicable.
GO 02-01, GO 07-01, GO 08-01 and GO 10-01.
Sections: Emergency response | Pursuit initiation | Pursuit balancing test | Primary and secondary units | Supervisor control | Tactical intervention | Termination | Post-pursuit review
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for emergency vehicle operations and pursuits. It shall be applied in a manner consistent with department directives, established legal lore, fair play and sound roleplay judgment.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
Pursuits should be exciting, understandable and finite. Officers should avoid overwhelming a fleeing player with unnecessary units or tactics that remove every reasonable opportunity to participate.
- Preservation of life outweighs immediate apprehension.
- A pursuit is justified only when the need to apprehend reasonably outweighs the danger created by continuing.
- Seriousness of the suspected offense.
- Immediate threat posed by the suspect.
- Traffic, weather, pedestrian density and road conditions.
- Availability of identifying information and later apprehension.
- Officer vehicle, training and communications capability.
- The initiating unit immediately broadcasts the reason and conditions.
- Ground units are limited to four officers and one supervisor unless additional units are specifically authorized.
- Parallel units should avoid joining the pursuit and instead position for containment, observation or traffic control.
- Within 60 seconds of initiation, the supervisor of the primary officer shall either authorize or terminate the pursuit. Officers shall not, under any circumstances, engage in a pursuit without supervisor authorization; if the primary officer’s supervisor is unavailable, the next available supervisor shall authorize or terminate the pursuit.
- Supervisors shall also order termination when danger becomes disproportionate, communication fails, identity is known and later arrest is practical, or the pursuit lacks sufficient justification.
- PIT maneuvers, spike strips and other authorized tactical interventions require specific supervisor authorization consistent with server mechanics. Ramming and roadblocks are prohibited.
- Assisting outside agencies: before joining an outside agency’s pursuit, dispatch, the assisting officer or the first available supervisor shall confirm the pursuing agency’s charges, and a supervisor shall authorize the number of officers assisting.
- After termination, units disengage visibly and avoid secretly continuing unless authorized surveillance is feasible.
- Above all, responsibility for what the officer is pursuing for rests with that officer. Pursuits are inherently dangerous; use good judgment.
- All pursuits require a report and supervisory review.
- Policy violations may be addressed through coaching, remedial training or discipline depending on seriousness.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
Pursuit report, involved-unit list and supervisor review.
GO 05-01, GO 06-01, GO 09-01 and GO 10-01.
Sections: Probable cause | Investigative detention | Search incident to arrest | Consent | Warrants | Restraints | Transport | Booking and release
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for arrest, detention, search and prisoner handling. It shall be applied in a manner consistent with department directives, established legal lore, fair play and sound roleplay judgment.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
An arrest should advance the story rather than abruptly end it. Officers should explain decisions, preserve opportunities for dialogue and avoid using procedure to force a predetermined outcome.
- Arrests and searches shall be based on lawful roleplay facts and documented clearly.
- Members shall distinguish consensual encounters, temporary detention and arrest.
- Explain the reason for detention or arrest when safety permits.
- Use restraints reasonably and double-lock or otherwise secure them when supported by game mechanics.
- Search arrested persons for weapons, evidence and contraband before transport.
- Do not use an arrest to force cooperation in unrelated roleplay.
- Transporting officers confirm prisoner identity, charges, property and medical condition.
- Juvenile or vulnerable-person procedures shall follow server law and staff direction.
- Members shall provide required rights advisements before custodial interrogation when applicable to the server’s legal framework.
- Release a detained person promptly when legal justification no longer exists.
- Arrest reports shall identify the offense, essential facts, evidence, force used, property seized and involved officers.
- Supervisors shall review felony and high-liability arrests.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
Arrest report, property record, transport and booking documentation.
GO 09-01, GO 10-01 and GO 11-01.
Sections: De-escalation | Objective reasonableness | Force options | Deadly force | Less-lethal tools | Medical aid | Duty to intervene | Reporting and review
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for use of force. It shall be applied in a manner consistent with department directives, established legal lore, fair play and sound roleplay judgment.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
Force scenes must remain fair to everyone involved. Officers should communicate, allow reasonable reaction time when circumstances permit and avoid treating game mechanics as automatic proof that greater force was necessary.
- Members may use only the force reasonably necessary to accomplish a lawful objective.
- De-escalation shall be attempted when safe and practical.
- Deadly force is reserved for an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm.
- Give clear commands and reasonable time to comply when circumstances permit.
- Continuously reassess resistance and reduce force when control is achieved.
- Do not use force as punishment, retaliation or to accelerate ordinary compliance.
- Render or summon medical aid after significant force, visible injury, loss of consciousness, less-lethal deployment or a request for care.
- Members shall intervene against clearly excessive force and report the incident to a supervisor.
- Firearm display, firearm discharge, less-lethal deployment and physical force beyond routine restraint shall be documented.
- Separate involved members when necessary to preserve independent accounts.
- Ensure medical aid, evidence preservation, witness identification and scene security.
- Determine whether immediate administrative action or command notification is required.
- Forward the completed force review to the designated command channel.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
Force report, medical documentation and supervisory review.
GO 08-01, GO 10-01, GO 14-01 and GO 18-01.
Sections: Reportable incidents | Narrative standards | Timeliness | Supplemental reports | Supervisor review | Corrections | Confidential information | False reporting
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for incident reports and documentation. It shall be applied in a manner consistent with department directives, established legal lore, fair play and sound roleplay judgment.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
Documentation exists to support future scenes, investigations and accountability. Reports should capture the useful facts without turning gameplay into paperwork duty.
- Reports shall be accurate, chronological, specific and written so another member can understand what happened without watching the scene.
- Fictional roleplay documentation must remain consistent with what actually occurred in-game.
- Who was involved and how each person was identified.
- What occurred, including the facts supporting enforcement decisions.
- When and where the incident occurred.
- What officers observed personally versus learned from others.
- What evidence was collected and where it was submitted.
- What force, searches, warnings, citations, arrests or releases occurred.
- What follow-up remains outstanding.
- Complete reports before ending watch when practical.
- Use supplemental reports rather than altering another member’s factual account.
- Supervisors review for legal sufficiency, clarity, policy compliance and obvious contradictions.
- Corrections shall preserve accountability; material facts may not be secretly rewritten after challenge.
- Knowingly false reports are serious misconduct.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
Incident, arrest and supplemental reports.
Sections: Evidence integrity | Collection | Packaging | Digital evidence | Chain of custody | Found property | Contraband | Vehicle tow and inventory
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for evidence, property and vehicle impound. It shall be applied in a manner consistent with department directives, established legal lore, fair play and sound roleplay judgment.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
Evidence should create investigative opportunities and continuity. It must never be invented, manipulated or hidden simply to guarantee a preferred result.
- Evidence shall be collected, documented and transferred in a manner that preserves roleplay integrity.
- Members shall not spawn, alter, conceal or destroy evidence to predetermine an outcome.
- Photograph or otherwise document evidence location before collection when practical.
- Record the collecting officer, item description, source location, related incident and transfer destination.
- Separate incompatible or hazardous items when supported by server mechanics.
- Digital evidence such as clips, screenshots or dispatch records shall be preserved through approved channels and not selectively edited in a misleading way.
- Found property shall be returned when ownership is verified or entered into property storage.
- Vehicle inventories are administrative and shall not be used as a pretext for an unrelated evidence search.
- Supervisors shall resolve disputed evidence handling before court or major investigative roleplay proceeds.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
Evidence log, chain-of-custody entry and property disposition.
Sections: Program purpose | FTO eligibility | Training phases | Daily observation | Remedial training | Solo release | Probation | Removal from program
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for field training and probationary officers. It shall be applied in a manner consistent with department directives, established legal lore, fair play and sound roleplay judgment.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
Field training should build confidence and good judgment through active scenes. It is not meant to embarrass recruits or make them imitate one officer’s personal style.
- The FTO program shall create competent, confident and fair patrol officers rather than simply testing rule memorization.
- Training shall include practical scenarios, report writing, radio use, stops, arrests, force judgment and roleplay etiquette.
- FTOs must be approved, active, patient and familiar with current policy.
- Probationary officers shall not perform independent high-risk enforcement until cleared for the relevant phase.
- FTOs provide immediate coaching when safe and complete documented evaluations at designated milestones.
- Minor mistakes should result in instruction; repeated or serious failures require remedial training or command review.
- Final release requires demonstrated competency, not merely time served.
- Probationary status may continue after solo release to allow performance monitoring.
- Officer safety and judgment.
- Knowledge of law and policy.
- Radio communication.
- Driving and pursuit judgment.
- Public interaction and roleplay quality.
- Report writing and evidence handling.
- Accepting feedback and professional conduct.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
FTO evaluations, remediation plan and release recommendation.
GO 02-01 through GO 11-01, and GO 13-01.
Sections: Minimum standards | Application review | Interviews | Lateral entry | Promotion eligibility | Selection process | Probationary promotion | Performance reviews
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for recruitment, promotions and performance evaluation. It shall be applied in a manner consistent with department directives, established legal lore, fair play and sound roleplay judgment.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
Positions should be earned by the work a member can actually perform. Promotions are not rewards for friendship, longevity alone or out-of-character influence.
- Appointments and promotions shall be based on capability, conduct, activity, leadership potential and department need, not friendship alone.
- Rank shall reflect responsibility actually performed.
- Recruitment may include application, interview, academy, background review and probation.
- Promotion candidates should demonstrate policy knowledge, sound judgment, reliability and the ability to improve others.
- Command may use written exercises, scenarios, interviews and documented performance history.
- Administrative expertise may support appointment to a director role without requiring an inflated patrol rank.
- New supervisors serve a probationary period and may be returned to prior rank when performance does not meet expectations.
- Performance reviews should identify strengths, risks, goals and training needs.
- Dishonesty or falsified experience.
- Repeated policy violations.
- Abuse of authority or favoritism.
- Chronic inactivity without communication.
- Inability to accept coaching.
- Using rank primarily for status.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
Application, evaluation, promotion recommendation and appointment record. Detailed rank-by-rank procedure, specialized assignment requirements and all promotional forms are published separately as GO 13-02, Promotions and Career Development Manual.
GO 01-01, GO 12-01 and GO 14-01.
Sections: Code of conduct | Complaint intake | Supervisor inquiry | Internal investigations | Administrative leave | Corrective action | Appeals | Confidentiality
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for conduct, complaints, discipline and internal review. It shall be applied in a manner consistent with department directives, established legal lore, fair play and sound roleplay judgment.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
Accountability should improve conduct and protect trust, not become a weapon in personal disagreements. Coaching is preferred for honest mistakes; serious abuse and dishonesty require firm action.
- Discipline shall protect fairness, department credibility and future performance.
- Not every mistake requires punishment, but dishonesty, abuse and repeated misconduct require decisive action.
- Any member may receive a complaint and shall forward it without retaliation.
- Supervisors may resolve minor service issues through explanation or coaching when no formal allegation exists.
- Serious allegations shall be referred to Internal Affairs or an uninvolved command member.
- Members under investigation shall not coordinate false accounts or destroy relevant records.
- Corrective options include counseling, written warning, remedial training, suspension, demotion, removal from assignment or termination.
- Discipline should consider intent, harm, history, honesty, rank, training and consistency with prior cases.
- Members may submit one written appeal through the designated command channel unless staff rules provide otherwise.
- Dishonesty in an official matter.
- Intentional abuse of force or authority.
- Discrimination or targeted harassment.
- Evidence tampering.
- Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.
- Retaliation against complainants or witnesses.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
Complaint, investigation file, finding, corrective action and appeal.
GO 01-01, GO 09-01 and GO 10-01.
Sections: Mission | Director authority | Public Information Officers | Approval process | Brand standards | Media inquiries | Community messaging | Records and archives
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for the Office of Communications and Public Affairs. It shall be applied in a manner consistent with department directives, established legal lore, fair play and sound roleplay judgment.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
Public communications should create believable citywide continuity, recognize major events and give civilians new reasons to engage with the Department.
- The Office of Communications and Public Affairs is the Department’s official voice.
- The Communications Division Director oversees public information, publications, department branding and media coordination under the authority of the Superintendent.
- Draft and publish press releases, public safety notices, recruitment material and official statements.
- Maintain consistent visual identity, document templates and publication standards.
- Coordinate with incident command before releasing information about active events.
- Correct material misinformation without escalating unnecessary conflict.
- Archive final publications and maintain a revision history.
- Train designated Public Information Officers.
- Routine notices: Communications Division Director or designee.
- Major incidents, officer-involved shootings, command changes and sensitive legal matters: Superintendent or designated executive approval.
- Emergency life-safety messaging: may be issued immediately by the Director, incident commander or Superintendent, with later documentation.
- Do not disclose confidential investigative strategy, protected identities, unreleased evidence or out-of-character information.
- Members shall not present personal opinions as official department statements.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
Publication archive, approval record and brand templates.
GO 16-01, GO 17-01 and GO 18-01.
Sections: Release format | Verified facts | Incident statements | Corrections | Social media conduct | Photography and graphics | Embargoes | Crisis communication
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for public information, press releases and social media. It shall be applied in a manner consistent with department directives, established legal lore, fair play and sound roleplay judgment.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
Public releases should extend scenes beyond the moment they occur. They should be informative enough to create follow-up roleplay without exposing information characters could not reasonably know.
- Official communication shall be timely, accurate, restrained and visually consistent.
- Speed does not justify publishing unverified facts.
- Headline stating the event or purpose.
- Date, district and general location.
- Confirmed summary of events.
- Public safety instructions when relevant.
- Status of investigation and request for information when appropriate.
- Approved contact or department channel.
- Clear indication when information is preliminary.
- The drafter verifies facts with the incident commander, lead investigator or approved report.
- Names, charges and casualty information shall be released only when authorized.
- Material errors shall be corrected promptly and transparently.
- Official graphics shall use approved marks, typography and templates.
- Personal accounts shall not leak department business or undermine active operations.
- During crisis events, one designated spokesperson should coordinate messaging.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
Final release, source verification and correction history.
Sections: Operational plans | Command structure | Briefings | Assignments | Staging | Arrest teams | Medical support | After-action review
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for special events, planned operations and incident command. It shall be applied in a manner consistent with department directives, established legal lore, fair play and sound roleplay judgment.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
Planning should prevent confusion while leaving room for unexpected choices. An operations plan is a framework for a scene, not a script that predetermines every outcome.
- Planned operations and large events shall use a scalable incident command structure.
- Operational complexity should create organized roleplay, not unnecessary bureaucracy.
- The operation lead prepares a written or verbal plan covering objective, command, units, communications, rules of engagement, arrest processing, medical support and contingencies.
- One incident commander has final scene authority unless relieved.
- Staging areas and radio channels shall be designated for major events.
- Specialized teams shall remain within assigned functions unless redirected.
- Mass-arrest operations require a processing plan and sufficient transport resources.
- After-action reviews shall identify what happened, what worked, what failed and who owns follow-up tasks.
- Lessons learned may result in a training bulletin or General Order revision.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
Operational plan, assignment roster and after-action report.
GO 05-01, GO 07-01, GO 09-01 and GO 18-01.
Sections: Critical incident definition | Notifications | Unified command | Mutual aid | Officer-involved shootings | Mass casualty incidents | Department continuity | Recovery
This General Order establishes Department policy and minimum operating expectations for critical incidents, mutual aid and continuity of operations. It shall be applied in a manner consistent with department directives, established legal lore, fair play and sound roleplay judgment.
This order applies to all Department members unless a provision expressly applies only to a specific rank, assignment or incident type.
Critical incidents should feel coordinated and consequential without pulling every available officer into one location or preventing normal city roleplay from continuing.
- Critical incidents require rapid stabilization, disciplined command and controlled information flow.
- Life safety, scene security, accountability and continuity of service are the initial priorities.
- The first supervisor establishes command, identifies hazards, requests resources and creates an initial operational perimeter.
- Command staff shall be notified for officer-involved shootings, mass casualty events, major civil disorder, coordinated attacks, hostage incidents and prolonged citywide emergencies.
- Mutual-aid agencies operate through unified command or clearly assigned sectors.
- Involved officers in serious force incidents should be relieved from immediate operational duties, medically assessed when necessary and separated for independent reporting.
- Essential patrol coverage shall be maintained outside the incident area.
- Command will designate recovery tasks, public information, evidence control and an after-action timeline.
- Maintain alternate communications when the primary channel fails.
- Preserve command succession.
- Track personnel assignments and status.
- Document emergency deviations from policy.
- Restore normal operations in deliberate phases.
Supervisors shall correct unsafe, unfair or inconsistent practice as soon as practical. A technical deviation that causes no harm may be handled through coaching; deliberate, repeated or high-impact violations may result in formal review under GO 14-01.
Incident log, command notifications, mutual-aid record and after-action report.
GO 05-01, GO 09-01, GO 15-01, GO 16-01 and GO 17-01.
| DOCUMENT | PURPOSE | APPROVAL | TYPICAL DURATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Order | Permanent department-wide policy | Superintendent | Until revised or rescinded |
| Special Order | Temporary or event-specific direction | Superintendent / Command | Defined in order |
| Training Bulletin | Instruction, examples and reminders | Training Commander | Until replaced |
| Operations Plan | Specific planned event or enforcement action | Incident / Operations Commander | Duration of operation |
| Press Release | Official public information | Communications Director; executive approval when required | Public record |
| Roll-Call Bulletin | Short-term operational intelligence | Watch Supervisor / Command | Current watch or stated period |
The first number identifies the policy family; the second identifies the individual order. Future additions may use GO 02-02, GO 02-03 and similar numbering without renumbering the entire manual.
| FAMILY | SUBJECT AREA |
|---|---|
| 01 | Governance and organization |
| 02-05 | Patrol and communications |
| 06-09 | Enforcement and force |
| 10-11 | Reports and evidence |
| 12-14 | Personnel and accountability |
| 15-16 | Communications and public affairs |
| 17-18 | Special operations and critical incidents |