Rules & Regulations

1. Community Conduct

1. All members are required to have a general level of intelligence and maturity. If you are unable to act in a mature and civilized manner, you will be removed from the community.
2. All members are required to treat each other and the community with respect in and out of roleplay. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
   • No racism, sexism, or other forms of discrimination.
   • No harassment, bullying, or other forms of abuse.
   • No trolling, baiting, or other forms of instigation.
   • No toxicity, flaming, or other forms of aggression.
   • No spamming, advertising, or other forms of nuisance.
3. Real Money Trading (RMT) or the exchange of real money (or other real-world gifts/favors) with other players for ANY in-game assets is prohibited.
4. If you are openly disrupting the world for others around you with blatantly low RP quality or simply attempting to disrupt other players' RP experience by being abnormally obnoxious and not taking the server seriously, you will be removed from the server.

2. Membership Requirements & Restrictions

1. You must have a working, clear-sounding microphone.
2. You must be at least 18 years of age to play. Staff may ask for proof at their discretion.
3. You must use some form of clipping or recording software like Medal, SteelSeries GG, or NVIDIA Shadowplay.
4. You cannot have offensive or inappropriate usernames, banners, status messages, bios or profile pictures.
5. You are not allowed to be a member of a department's high command team if you own or are a member of staff or management of another community.
6. You cannot use graphics mods that replace game assets with non-TOS compliant assets (i.e. replacing vehicle models with their real life versions, or using the LA conversion pack, all real life branded content is prohibited).

2.1. Exploiting/Cheating/Modding

1. You cannot use exploits, cheats, or faulty game mechanics under any circumstances.
2. You must report exploits or cheats to staff.
3. You must report players who are using exploits or cheats.
4. You cannot use emotes with props, attached objects, or held objects to block/shield yourself or others from projectiles (riot shields are exempt).
5. You must report vehicles with bulletproof/bullet resistant glass.
6. You cannot use combat-enhancing graphics mods/settings (altered blood effects, altered kill effects, altered sky color, altered weapon effects, tracers, using incorrect aspect ratio for monitor).
   • Standard visual mods are allowed (i.e. NVE, QuantV, VisualV, etc.).

3. Roleplay Regulations

1. You must value your life and act accordingly in all situations; blatant disregard for personal safety or unrealistic behavior in life-threatening scenarios is prohibited.
   • Officers and criminals alike may attempt to escape if a reasonable opportunity arises, such as when suspects are distracted or their attention is diverted, but not if they are clearly surrounded or outnumbered without a viable exit.
2. Character names must be realistic and cannot be those of well-known celebrities, world leaders, real-life criminals, controversial figures, or puns; lesser-known figures are permissible if non-offensive.
3. Name changes are to only be approved when you're married via an official wedding in city, if there's a spelling error, or if you've received direction from staff for violating the above rule.
4. You cannot roleplay scenarios of rape, extreme torture*, racism, or real-life terrorism (or anything similar in nature).
   • *Any torture scene MUST have the consent of all parties involved, prior to the scene happening.
5. You cannot roleplay scenarios relating to erotic roleplay in any form (voice, text, sounds, animations, etc.)
6. You are NEVER allowed to respawn on an active scene, nor return to a scene in which your character has been fully killed (Stage 2).
7. You cannot disconnect from the server during an active interaction (commonly known as "combat logging").
   • Combat logging is defined as: Disconnecting from the server during an active interaction, usually, in an attempt to avoid the potential consequences/outcomes of the interaction.
   • 'Coincidental' disconnections during pivotal moments in interactions will be seen as combat logging by deception at staff discretion.
8. Win-only mentalities are prohibited.
   • Experiencing loss and setbacks is part of the roleplaying process and should be embraced just as much as winning.
9. If you are planning on leaving the community you cannot dump all of your characters' assets to other players. Should you do this, you will not be allowed to return in the future.
10. You cannot portray injuries related to genitalia.
11. You cannot be a member of an emergency service department or justice department and be part of a criminal organization on the same character (Private attorneys are exempt from this, within reason).
12. You cannot use OOC related incidents to lie to other players.
    • Example: You cannot lie and say a "danny" shot my friend when in fact you shot him, OR you cannot say a "wizard" stole your car when you hid it yourself.

4. Fail RP

Fail RP is a blanket term for actions that negatively impact the RP experience. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Breaking character or going out of character without permission from staff.
   • Example: Refusing to continue a scene because it's a "DHS issue" without staff actively being present & telling you the scene is paused.
2. Speaking on behalf of or invoking staff.
   • Example: "I'm calling staff and you're getting perma'd" or "Enjoy your flight" after witnessing a potential rule break.
   • Example: Attempting to stop an active scene as a result of a suspected bug or "scuff".
3. Using or operating a vehicle in a way that is not realistic (See Vehicle Rules for more information).
4. Failing to properly roleplay injuries (See Medical RP Guidelines for more information).
   • Example: Failing to properly RP injuries sustained from a vehicle accident, gunshot wound, or other such injury.
5. Baiting cops to get a reaction out of them without the intent to create RP or a fun interaction for both sides.
   • Example: Doing burnouts in front of the police station to get a reaction out of the police.
6. Retrieving or storing a vehicle in a way that is not realistic; specifically in front of other players during chases or races.
7. Deliberately commiting an act of suicide, thereby intentionally ending your own life and clearly indicating it as such (Your character will be permanently deleted as a result).

Read the Criminal Rules section for more information on rules relating to criminal activities.

5. Metagaming

Metagaming is the act of using information that is not available to your character to change the way you play your character. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Communicating with other players who are connected to the server via external means, including but not limited to voice or text chats whether physical or digital.
2. Using information gained via Discord.
3. Using information gained via live streaming platforms.
4. Using information gained on one character to change the way you play another character - including relationships with other players.
5. Transferring items, money, or other assets between characters. This also includes non-tangible assets such as information on locations, processes, people, etc.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Using information from the #media channel to find a player's location or identity.
• Using information gathered from your police character to execute a heist on your criminal character.
• Giving a friend a lower sentence while on your cop character because you know them on your criminal character.
• Discovering a drug location on your criminal character and using that information to raid it on your cop character.
• Being in a Discord call with other players while in the city, even if you are muted or deafened.

6. Powergaming

Powergaming is the act of forcing a roleplay scenario on another player without giving them a chance to respond. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Forcing another player to do something without giving them a chance to respond.
2. Forcing another player to do something that is not possible in the game.
3. Using a game mechanic to inhibit or control a roleplay scenario without a valid reason, logic, or interaction.
4. Using the mechanics of entering or exiting a shell (interior that's teleported to) to engage in violent or aggressive roleplay without giving the other party time to respond.
5. Using the /me command to force another player to do something without valid reason or roleplay events leading up to it.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Handcuffing, robbing, or otherwise interacting with another player who is AFK.
• Handcuffing a player who is not incapacitated. (Tackled, has their hands up, or tazed).
• Shooting police officers as they are entering or exiting a shell.

7. Green Zones

Green zones are safe areas around the map. You may only conduct passive RP in green zones; no criminal or aggressive/violent RP.

Green zones include:

• Spawn (Federal Complex)
• Legion Square
• Hospitals/Medical Centers (and the surrounding area)
• Clothing Stores
• Ammunations
• Impound Lots
• Dealerships
• General Vicinity around Post Boxes
• Recycling
• Mining Sites/Ore Processing Facilities

Any area (that is public, or is a business) with 10+ individuals is also considered a green zone.

8. Staff

1. You are not allowed to impersonate staff.
2. You are not allowed to disrespect staff.
3. Staff will not compensate for losses, repair vehicles, teleport players, revive, or give anyone items/money upon request.
4. Staff are not allowed to abuse their powers to better themselves. All staff actions are logged and monitored by management.

Department of Homeland Security

Server staff operate as federal agents of the Department of Homeland Security, either as Field Operations or Customs and Border Patrol. Staff may patrol or respond to staff reports or tickets in DHS-branded vehicles. (This also applies to the development team, who may be working on the main server).

• Occasionally, staff may roleplay as the Department of Homeland Security. To prevent any accidental FailRP, ALWAYS CONSIDER UNIFORMED DHS AGENTS TO BE OPERATING IN RP UNLESS THEY INDICATE OTHERWISE. Oftentimes, players may see staff or management in their uniforms and begin to ask OOC questions. Don't do this. But if you do, and they respond with "I don't know what you're talking about" or something along those lines, take the hint and snap back into RP.
• You may not steal, tamper with, rob from, or destroy any Department of Homeland Security vehicles for any reason.
• You may not wear clothing that is intended to be worn by DHS or other federal agencies (Anything branded as Homeland Security, Border Patrol, Federal Agent, NOOSE, or PIA).

9. Reporting Players

Player reports are OUT OF CHARACTER. At the minimum, we require a clip and an ID for it to be looked into by staff (send player IDs to staff by targeting (third-eye) the player and clicking send IDs to staff).

Any in-game reports that are not accompanied by a reasonable explanation in the request message will be ignored and closed. Any nuisance reports will also be ignored and closed.

Examples of things that should be reported:

• RDM/VDM
• OOC interactions
• Exploiting/Modding
• Harassment, usage of offensive slurs, or toxic behavior
• Trolling

False reports and dishonesty with staff are prohibited!

10. Reimbursements

1. You are not obligated to receive reimbursements.
2. Reimbursements from an invalid RP scenario (RDM, Metagaming, FailRP, etc.) are required to be accompanied by clips of the items being removed from your inventory. (AFK Robbing Exempt)
3. Players who have received valid bans in the past may be ineligible for reimbursements.
4. Reimbursements for lost items due to server-wide data loss are not possible. (Development Project Clause)
5. Vehicles that are imported by players are subject to removal if the original owner does not connect to the server for 45 days or if they are banned from the server for 45+ days.

11. Law Enforcement Rules

11.1 General

These are rules specifically for members of law enforcement to ensure they are operating according to our standards for RP. All members of law enforcement are required to abide by these rules and any rules listed here supersede any policy listed in their respective department's Standard Operating Procedure.

1. You are not allowed to place spike strips directly in front and behind a vehicle on a scene with the express intention of not allowing the vehicle to flee.
2. You are not allowed to increase a fine or jail time beyond the maximum allowed by law without express approval from a member of DHS.
3. You are not allowed to use the absence of a physical license plate on a vehicle to initiate a traffic stop, and it does not otherwise constitute reasonable suspicion.
   • Some vehicle models do not allow this as an option.

11.2 Corrupt Police RP

Corrupt police RP is allowed, but must strictly follow the rules below. Violating these rules will result in a permanent ban. Players who wish to play corrupt police must not only be corrupt in favor of friends or gang members but must also be corrupt in favor of everyone.

Members of law enforcement who hold the rank of command (generally the rank of Lieutenant or higher, check your department's rank structure for confirmation) or higher CANNOT participate in corrupt police RP.

Corrupt police CAN:

• Take bribes from criminals.
• Perform favors for criminals.
• Turn a blind eye to criminal activity.

Corrupt police CANNOT:

• Steal evidence or items from the evidence lockers.
• Steal items from the armory.
• Distribute any police equipment to criminals.
• Provide criminals with police vehicles.
• Change records in the MDT.
• Unlawfully grant weapons licenses.
• Abuse their ability to raid containers, vehicles, or properties to steal items for themselves or others.

11.3 Detectives, Gang Investigations & Criminal Informants

Character Restrictions

• Officers with gang-affiliated characters (Whether it is the same character, or a different character) cannot be part of CIU, GIU, GTF, or any other gang investigation units.
• Law enforcement are prohibited from creating alternate characters to act as informants.

Undercover Operations

• Undercover officers may engage in minor roles in criminal activities, defined as roles that do not involve direct participation in major crimes. Examples include:
  • Lookout: Serving as a lookout during a heist or drug deal without direct involvement in the crime.
  • Driver: Acting as a getaway driver, provided they do not engage in violent or illegal acts themselves.
  • Observer: Monitoring criminal activities without participating, gathering intelligence for future operations.
  • Limits: Officers cannot take on roles that involve planning, executing, or leading major crimes such as bank robberies, murders, or large-scale drug operations. Participation must be passive and primarily for intelligence-gathering purposes.
• Any undercover operation involving minor roles must be reported to and approved by a supervisor before proceeding. This is to ensure compliance with the rules, and to make sure it makes sense in the investigation.

Off-Duty Behavior (for Undercover Cops)

• Off-duty officers may engage in self-defense, including lethal force if legally justified, but such actions will be investigated under standard procedure.
• Off-duty officers may consume alcohol and cannabis recreationally if it does not interfere with duties.

Using Informants

• Informants must be met in RP, with no prior affiliation on either criminal or cop cousin.
• Gang members and leaders can be interrogated, but their safety must be considered during this process.

12. Vehicle Usage

Legend: High Rate of Speed = 70 MPH or greater

1. You may not use a sports-type (or other generally street-only) vehicle in an unrealistic manner in an offroad environment. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
   • Driving at a high rate of speed offroad.
   • Driving up high inclines.
   • Driving on rocky/rough terrain in which the vehicle would realistically be damaged.
2. You may not use an offroad vehicle in a way that extends beyond the realistic capabilities of the vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
   • Using vehicles with high suspension to drive directly over barriers that would realistically not be possible (as long as the wheel physically rolls over the barrier, you are OK).
   • Driving up an incline greater than 60° at a speed greater than 40 MPH (70° for extreme offroad vehicles, specifically designed for extreme inclines).
3. You may not use your vehicle to intentionally ram another vehicle at a high rate of speed.
   • Emergency vehicles with equipment designed to hit another vehicle are exempt (rambars, pushbars, etc.).
4. You may not use your vehicle as a roadblock to stop another vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed, while you are still inside the vehicle.
5. You may not perform unrealistic airtime/jumps with a vehicle that is not designed for it (wheels not breaking off is not a 100% accurate gauge of whether or not the vehicle is performing an acceptable maneuver).
6. You are not allowed to use business/company liveries on a vehicle if you do not have permission from the business owner to do so (You must request permission from staff if you wish to use the any liveries from in-game lore businesses that are unowned).