SOPs

Operating and Ticketing Procedures

Revised May 15, 2019

The SOP’s are intended to provide a framework for the LSPD to operate effectively but are not intended to be all-inclusive.  As a member of the LSPD it is your responsibility to keep up to date with any changes made to this document.  It’s suggested that you follow this topic to receive notifications of any updates.



Ticket Procedures

You may click here for the Ticket Procedures.



Standard Operational Procedures and Rules

Your priority as a member of Los Santos Police Department is to role play to your fullest potential in ALL situations.  We are here to enjoy ourselves in a role play environment and these Standard Operating Procedures are meant to be a simple and straightforward way to reach that goal. We want you to have fun and as a result create fun for other players.



General Rules



It’s an officer's responsibility to prevent, deter, and investigate all crimes.
Officers shall be logged into the appropriate voice channel on Discord when on duty.  Your discord name shall match your in game identity.
Officers should make use of direct in game communication when possible and use Discord for communication over long distances.
Officers should represent themselves in a professional manner at all times and shall refrain from participating in any sexual or inappropriate role play.
Ride-alongs require approval from a lieutenant, or above, and shall last for a maximum of 60 minutes.  They are restricted to civilians only.
When attempting to handcuff a player, officers should request that they put their hands in the air and/or kneel.  An officer should not restrain a moving/fleeing suspect by using the police menu.  If the player does not comply with your orders then you shall tackle them or use a taser prior to restraining them.
If you are kidnapped, you shall communicate that you are being kidnapped plus your current location via Discord.  If a weapons disablement kit is used then you shall mute Discord until you have been rescued or have repaired your weapons and equipment.
If you are rendered unconscious then you shall communicate “Officer down” and your current location via Discord.  You shall then cease all communication on Discord until you are revived. If you are revived and the scene is still active you shall not re-engage in any activities on that scene until it has been secured and all hostile activities have ended.
It's the official stance of the LSPD that we do not pay money for hostages nor pay money to individuals to deter crime.
 An officer who is accused of violating the SOP's will be investigated for Corruption.  If found guilty they will face administrative action and potential removal from the LSPD.
Plain English should be used for all communications.  The use of "10 Codes" is not allowed with the exception of Code 1, 2, 3, and 4.
The official LSPD FAQ's document found here: serves as an extension to the SOP's and shall be enforced accordingly.


Going on Duty - Section A

Officers should adhere to the following player/cop ratio to ensure there is a healthy balance of Law Enforcement and Civilians on the server at a given time.  Note that this is based on a total number of players which includes civilians+cops.
0 - 10 Players = 2 Cops (8 Civilians and 2 Cops)
11 - 20 Players  = 4 Cops
21 - 32 Players = 6 Cops
33 - 40 Players = 7 Cops
42 +   = 8 Cops
A Sergeant, or higher, can patrol as an undercover officer using plain clothes and vehicles.  The purpose of the UC officer is to observe and gather information of criminal activities and then communicate the information to uniformed officers who will effect any arrest.  All UC officers shall adhere to the following guidelines:
There is a minimum of 3 additional officers on duty.
UC officers are allowed to carry a weapon but may only use it in self defense.  They may not initiate on any suspects.
Uniformed officers should be near the UC officer and coordinate all activities.  UC officers shall not participate in hostile activities and should rely on the uniformed officers as needed.
UC officers will not actively participate in illegal activities such as gathering or producing drugs .
UC officers cannot entrap a player by tricking someone into committing a crime in order to secure their arrest.
Officers shall obtain their uniform from the locker room at any police station.  Officers are not allowed to wear masks, goofy hats/glasses, makeup, or face tattoos, while on duty.  For further clarification review the Uniform and Inclusion List Document.
Officers shall only use weapons authorized at or below their rank:
Recruit - Combat Pistol, Taser, Baton, Flashlight, & Knife
Corporal - Heavy Pistol
FTS - Shotgun
Lieutenant - SMG
If an officer purchases a Shotgun or SMG they shall rack the gun in their cruiser until it is needed.
There shall be a max of 1 unmarked patrol car per two marked patrol cars.  Undercover vehicles count as unmarked cars.
Officers who are showing signs of addiction should not clock on duty.  If you begin to show signs of withdrawal or addiction while on duty you should clock off and seek treatment before returning.


Patrol Procedures - Section B

When on duty and not responding to 911 calls officers should patrol legal and illegal areas.
Officers should avoid staying in an illegal area for an extended period of time.
During a routine patrol, there shall be a max of 2 officers per vehicle to ensure transport space for apprehended criminals.
A motorcycle may be used if there is adequate transport space in another cruiser.
Officers can use emergency lights and sirens when responding to emergency calls.  Officers shall maintain control of their vehicle at all times and operate in a responsible manner.
Code 1 (No Lights / No Sirens):  Officers are permitted to treat traffic lights as 'Stop Signs' by coming to a complete stop and then proceeding through the intersection if it's clear.
Code 2 (Lights / No Sirens): Officers are allowed to proceed through traffic lights and overtake vehicles when responding Code 2.  Officers should pause at intersections and visually verify that it’s safe to proceed.
Code 3 (Lights / Sirens): Officers are required to use lights and sirens when excessive speed is required and not when they are not following traffic laws.
If an officer has reasonable suspicion that a firearm was used to commit a crime then that officer may detain anyone in the general area of the police alert marker for investigation including performing a Gunshot Residue (GSR) test.  While a positive result is not sufficient evidence to determine guilt it does grant the officer probable cause to further detain the individual, search them, and continue the investigation.
LSPD may assist or render medical care in the following circumstances:
Criteria:  No EMS on duty or incapacitated - LSPD is allowed to transport a downed criminal suspected/wanted of a felony to a hospital and facilitate treatment.
Criteria:  No EMS on duty or incapacitated - LSPD is allowed to transport downed LSPD member(s) to a hospital and facilitate treatment.
Criteria:  All EMS are downed - LSPD is allowed to transport the downed LSFD member(s) to a hospital and facilitate treatment.
Criteria:  At the request of on-duty LSFD personnel - LSPD can transport downed players to a hospital where treatment is facilitated by a LSFD member.


Interacting with Civilians - Section C

When placing a suspect in handcuffs an officer shall communicate the reasons for the detention.  Suspects should never be detained with out first being provided a valid reason.
All interactions with civilians should be in a respectful and appropriate demeanor. Do not belittle or verbally abuse civilians.
Sometimes a player will have an OOC question, however you should do your best to stay in character at all times.
In the case of a civilian interfering with a police investigation an Officer may detain the individual. Civilians may be present at the scene of an investigation so long as they are providing ample space per officer request and they are not impeding the officer in the performance of his/her duties.
Civilians inquiring about their wanted status will be required to report to a police station and provide proper ID.  Officers shall not communicate this information over the phone, text messaging, or twitter.
Vehicle Pursuits - Section D

During a pursuit you should maintain a realistic sense of driving.
A PIT maneuver or a rolling barricade is approved only if it can be done safely. Take caution to oncoming traffic and your surroundings.  These are considered advanced maneuvers and count as hostile initiation with the fleeing suspect(s).
A PIT maneuver may be performed on an evading bicycle within the following criteria:  Extended or multiple police chases; must be performed at slow speeds by bumping the rear tire; Officers must exercise extreme caution and control when performing this maneuver.
A Maverick helicopter may be used by an FTS+ for vehicle pursuits, isolated medical calls, or transportation from station to station.  A FTS must obtain Sgt approval prior to using the helicopter.
A Predator boat may be used for water pursuits, medical calls, or transportation.
Spike strips can be used during any vehicle pursuit. The officer using the spike strips must have their vehicle parked near the spike strips and have their emergency lights flashing.  Officers may also use spike strips in an attempt to disable the tires of a stationary get away vehicle that is being used in an active crime.


Use of Force - Section E

Officers shall announce themselves as a member of the LSPD and provide a clear and reasonable demand.
A nightstick or taser is appropriate when an unarmed suspect is refusing a lawful order or threatening the safety of a person in the immediate area or a suspect is fleeing and eluding a police officer.
Lethal force is authorized when a suspect with a weapon poses a direct and immediate threat to officer or civilian safety.
If an officer is being attacked in the water then they may use a knife to defend themselves.  The knife should not be used to subdue a fleeing suspect.
When possible efforts should be made to use less than lethal weapons first however officers are expected to defend themselves and any civilians in the area.


Probable Cause/Illegal Items - Section F

Probable cause allows an officer to search a civilian and/or their vehicle. The minimum requirements that must be met in order to generate probable cause are defined in this section and next to applicable charges on the ticketing guide.
Direct Witness: Any uniformed or undercover officer,  who witnesses the following has probable cause to detain and search:
A civilian committing a Misdemeanor or Felony crime
A civilian actively selling drugs
A civilian attaching a speed bomb to a vehicle (must hear the bomb being activated).
Any offense marked “PC” on the ticket guide indicate that crime would generate probable cause to search.
Eye Witness: A civilian or EMS who gives their account of an incident may be used during an investigation but it does not generate probable cause to search.
Self incrimination:  Including an officer witnessing an individual smoking marijuana or smoking from a pipe.
Officers are obligated to remove any illegal weapons/items from a player.  These items shall be “trashed” as soon as possible following the encounter.
Any legal items seized should be returned  to the suspect at the end of the encounter.
The current illegal weapons and items are as follows:
Guns:  Deagle (Pistol50)
Melee:  Cavalry Dagger, Broken Bottle, Switchblade, Battleaxe
Equipment:  Cannabis Seeds, Coca Leaves, Dirty Money, Lockpicks, Mobile Meth Lab Kit, Safe Cracking Kit, Speed Bomb, Weapon Disablement Kit
Drugs:  Cocaine (any form), Meth (any form), Weed (any form)
A legal weapon used in the commission of a crime becomes eligible for seizure.
Illegal Areas: Any field capable of planting cannabis seeds or immediate area near the field, all of Stab City NW of Calafia Road, inside of the encampment  at cocaine processor, immediate vicinity around weed processing, second floor of the black market dealer, illegal weapon dealer, and witnessing a “mobile meth lab” actively cooking. Being inside an illegal area generates probable cause to search but police cannot effect an arrest just for someone being in an illegal area.
Information gathered from the informant grants probable cause for any RV located at the coordinates provided. It is not required for the RV to be smoking to gain probable cause.
911 Alerts of someone selling drugs in the area give probable cause for any civilian found at the coordinates provided (directly on the marker).
Upon receiving a notification of a 'suspicious transaction' from a business store, officers should report to the police station and run a 'search shop financials' check using the business owners ID.  If 'unreported income' is found, officers have PC to raid the business store.
Probable cause to raid a business store is granted if an officer witnesses that the store is selling any illegal items.
When conducting a raid there should be a max of 4 officers.  If an officer is incapacitated during the raid additional officers can be requested.  Upon successful  completion of the raid, the business store should be closed down and the owner of the store charged with Money Laundering.


Ticketing Procedures - Section G

In order to Ticket/Jail a suspect the Officer must be a “Direct Witness” (see above section) to the crime.  This includes crimes witnessed by officers and recorded in the Mobile Data Terminal (MDT).
Officers shall read out all crimes a suspect is being charged with prior to issuing a ticket. At that time a suspect has an opportunity to RP/refute charges before the ticket is issued.  Once the ticket has been issued no further charges may be added.
A suspect shall always have the chance to pay a ticket unless the ticket price is marked “N/A”. If a player refuses the ticket then they shall be processed for the corresponding jail time.
If the “Jail Sentence” is 5 Months or longer than an Officer shall send the suspect to Prison. Any sentencing less than 5 Months can be served in a holding cell under police supervision.
Crimes against NPCs are treated the same as a crime against another player.
An officer can discount any charge in the Infraction and Misdemeanor category, as well as restitution fines in the Felony Category, by up to 100%. ( Refusal to pay the ticket will result in the full jail time associated with the charges. )
An on duty Corporal, or above, may authorize that a vehicle may not be seized if marked for seizure.
An on duty Sergeant, or above, may authorize the reduction of jail time by up to 100%.
If an individual is being charged with the same crime within 20 minutes, the officer may double the ticket price for that specific crime.  If the individual is charged again within another 20 minutes then the officer may send the individual to jail without offering a ticket.


Processing Suspects - Section H

Not every suspect must be taken to police HQ for processing.
A tow truck can be called for a suspect's vehicle if they have refused to pay their ticket and are being transported to prison and/or jail.  This should only be done of the scene has been called “All Clear” and shall not be done during active hostile activities.
If a vehicle is known to have a speed bomb attached a tow truck should be called to transport it to the impound where a mechanic will 'disarm' the bomb..  If a tow truck is not available, the vehicle should be locked and left alone.  Civilians in the area should be warned to not tamper with the vehicle.
All Journey's found to be smoking shall be impounded regardless of the suspect paying their ticket or going to jail.
A player has the right to request to have a lawyer when charged with at least one Felony.
Officers must respect a request for a lawyer if the suspect has at least one Felony charge.  Requests for a lawyer less than 15 minutes before server restarts will not be honored.
For safety reasons, officers may deny the request for a lawyer if there are hostile threats or hostile activities around the police station.
Officers will reach out and contact the lawyer and request their presence at the station.
Once the suspect has been jailed and the lawyer requested, officers are expected to wait no more than 10 minutes for the arrival of the lawyer.
The lawyer must be dressed professionally, provide identification, provide proof of board certification, and consent to be searched prior to seeing their client.
A lawyer who has recently been hostile towards LSPD, is currently wanted for a crime, or has illegal items found on them at the time of the search will be turned away by the LSPD.
If the lawyer meets the defined criteria above, the officer will 'Clock in' the lawyer using the PD computer.
There shall be a limit of 1 lawyer per suspect.
An officer can discount Jail time, Restitution, and Fines based on the Lawyers RP.
“Time served” in police custody does not apply when a player requests a lawyer to represent them.
The lawyer will be 'Clocked Out' when their services are no longer needed.
An officer can request a civilians ID but the civilian is only required to provide the ID if the officer is charging them with a crime.
If requested, an officer must respect a request to speak to a supervisor given that a senior officer is on duty and able to report to the location.


License Seizing and Revoking Keys - Section I

Driver License can be seized at the officers discretion if the suspect is being charged with any one of the following crimes:
Felony Evasion
Hit and Run
Vehicular Manslaughter
DUI
Firearm License can be seized at the officers discretion with approval of an on-duty  Corporal or higher if the suspect is charged with at least TWO of the following crimes:
Possession of an Illegal Firearm
Armed Robbery
Kidnapping (if firearm was used in commission of the crime).
Murder or Attempted Murder
Assault with a Deadly Weapon (if firearm was used in commission of the crime)
Revoking Keys - If a player is in possession of keys to another players vehicle they can be revoked for the following reasons:
Vehicle was used for any illegal activity
Keys were forcibly obtained from the owner of the vehicle