In our current d20 modern game, myself and another player are playing police officers.
Does anyone know of any useful databases or articles on things like standard procedure when dealing with suspects, witnesses etc. When to call for backup, when is appropriate to draw/use a weapon or break into a building.
Obviously there are going to be some places where reality bends slightly because of the nature of it being a game. But we do want our characters to act like resonably realistic cops. So far we're just sort of copying what we've seen on police dramas, but we'd like to have at least some idea.
Any help and advice would be greatly appriciated.
Hoping for some help.
In our current d20 modern game, myself and another player are playing police officers.
Does anyone know of any useful databases or articles on things like standard procedure when dealing with suspects, witnesses etc. When to call for backup, when is appropriate to draw/use a weapon or break into a building.
Obviously there are going to be some places where reality bends slightly because of the nature of it being a game. But we do want our characters to act like resonably realistic cops. So far we're just sort of copying what we've seen on police dramas, but we'd like to have at least some idea.
Any help and advice would be greatly appriciated.
Have you ever ask a cop in your area? Be mindful that not all procedures are public. The last thing the police want is a smart criminal knowing how the police operate.
Hoping for some help.
like standard procedure when dealing with suspects, witnesses etc. When to call for backup,
Normally backup is called when the officer suspects the person Has paraphenelia/weapons/etcetera
when is appropriate to draw/use a weapon or break into a building.
Drawing their weapon usually happens when the suspect has a weapon/hostage/etcetera
Obviously there are going to be some places where reality bends slightly because of the nature of it being a game. But we do want our characters to act like resonably realistic cops. So far we're just sort of copying what we've seen on police dramas, but we'd like to have at least some idea.
Any help and advice would be greatly appriciated.
they should be around level 3 to 5, the officer around 6
swat teams start at level 5 go up to ten, and are heroic.
same with soldiers verses Special Forces.
I work with Local and Federal LEOs (Law Enforcement Officers, but I'm a civilian, not an Officer.) and while there are massive differences between many departments, some of the basic mid to low level procedures are the same.
For a good RPG series of Supplements, I would recommend the HogsHead Publishing groups, "Crime Scene" series of books.
I've found their "Police Investigation" and "Forensics" books to be a great help in both RPG writing and in writing Urban/Crime fiction. Many of the books are being re-released and updated, as we speak, and can be found via the Web.
I have ran some of the material past some of my "Official" friends and they have given many of the procedures a good "Code Four".
OK, it's been a while since I've seen this question come up...but I like it! :D
I work with Local and Federal LEOs (Law Enforcement Officers, but I'm a civilian, not an Officer.) and while there are massive differences between many departments, some of the basic mid to low level procedures are the same.
For a good RPG series of Supplements, I would recommend the HogsHead Publishing groups, "Crime Scene" series of books.
I've found their "Police Investigation" and "Forensics" books to be a great help in both RPG writing and in writing Urban/Crime fiction. Many of the books are being re-released and updated, as we speak, and can be found via the Web.
I have ran some of the material past some of my "Official" friends and they have given many of the procedures a good "Code Four".
Thanks alot, that's exactly the sort of thing I was looking for!
Hoping for some help.
In our current d20 modern game, myself and another player are playing police officers.
Does anyone know of any useful databases or articles on things like standard procedure when dealing with suspects, witnesses etc. When to call for backup, when is appropriate to draw/use a weapon or break into a building.
Obviously there are going to be some places where reality bends slightly because of the nature of it being a game. But we do want our characters to act like resonably realistic cops. So far we're just sort of copying what we've seen on police dramas, but we'd like to have at least some idea.
Any help and advice would be greatly appriciated.
Well, I'm a deputy sheriff IRL(patrol, not courts), so I can answer a couple of your questions.
Generally, police draw their weapons in any situation where they fear they may be in danger of death or serious bodily injury. Obvious examples would be dealing with a subject wielding a weapon (ANY weapon, bat, knife, gun, TASER, pepper spray). Anytime they clear a building they generally draw their firearms as well (the concern being that a suspect could be lurking inside to ambush officers.)
For use of force, LEO's work off a "continuum." Its generally ranked as Verbal (telling people what to do), Control (subject is passively resisting- refusing to obey commands), which consists of use of pressure points, takedowns, pepper spray, and in some agencies the TASER, Impact (subject is actively resisting, i.e. fighting the officer with physical blows), which includes use of the TASER, baton, and punches and kicks, and lastly Deadly Force(subject is presenting a threat that could seriously injure or kill the officer or another person), which includes use of the firearm, blunt impact blows to the head and neck areas, or running someone down with your patrol vehicle.
When a LEO suspects that criminal activity is afoot, they can DETAIN someone, which can include placing them in handcuffs or in the back of a patrol car, but NOT transporting them from the scene.
If a LEO is advised that a person has an active warrant OR if they have probable cause that a subject committed a crime, they may ARREST that person.
A LEO is free to walk up to anyone and start a conversation. Whether a person may be required to give a LEO their identification varies by individual state's laws and the situation. In every state, if a LEO has reason to DETAIN or ARREST someone, that person is required to provide their personal identifies (Name, Date of Birth, Social, home address, etc.)
Hope this helps, if you have any other questions feel free to PM me, as I can share information that is public knowledge.
