Highrise City RP
Join the City

Highrise City RP · Highrise PD · Law Enforcement Guide

Use of force

Section6

Chapters 6. Use of force
  1. 1 What law enforcement does
  2. 2 Licensing & Requirements
  3. 3 Equipment
  4. 4 Going on duty
  5. 5 Radio, dispatch and the MDT
  6. 6 Use of force
  7. 7 Traffic stops
  8. 8 Pursuits
  9. 9 Detaining, searching and arresting
  10. 10 Processing, charges and prison
  11. 11 Evidence and warrants
  12. 12 Robberies and hostage scenes
  13. 13 Working with EMS and the Department of Justice
  14. 14 Conduct and discipline
  15. 15 Body cam and dash cam
  16. 16 GPS tracker and fingerprint scanner
  17. 17 Quick reference
  18. 18 About this guide

Use the lowest level that works, and step back down when the threat does.

LevelWhat it isWhen
1. PresenceUniform, marked car, lightsAlways
2. VoiceClear commandsThe person is not doing what the situation needs
3. HandsHolding, escorting, handcuffingThe person ignores commands or is being arrested
4. Less-lethalTaser, batonThe person fights or tries to hurt someone
5. LethalFirearmSomeone’s life is in immediate danger
1PresenceUniform, lights2VoiceClear commands3HandsHold, escort, cuff4Less-lethalTaser, baton5LethalFirearmUse the lowest step that works.Step back down when the threat does.Up only as far as needed, and back down again
The five levels of force.

LEO-6.1 Commands first.

Give a clear command that can be heard, and a moment to obey it, before you use force. Initiation applies to police like everyone else (§4.1). If someone is already shooting or attacking, the scene has been initiated and you may act to stop it.

LEO-6.2 Lethal force protects life.

You fire only to stop an immediate threat to your life or someone else’s. You do not fire to stop a person who is running away, or to protect property.

LEO-6.3 Vehicles are not targets.

Do not shoot at a moving vehicle unless someone in it is shooting, or the driver is using it to run people down.

LEO-6.4 Tasers have limits.

Do not use a taser on someone who is driving, is somewhere they could fall from, or is in water.

LEO-6.5 Value your life.

Value of life and fear apply to officers too (§3.1, §3.2). Do not run alone at armed suspects. Call it in and wait for another unit.

LEO-6.6 After force.

Secure the person, call EMS, tell your supervisor on the radio, and write the report (LEO-5.1).

Before you fire: three questions

QuestionWhat it meansThe answer must be
1. Is a life in danger right now?Someone is shooting, aiming, or about to seriously hurt you or another person. “They might be armed” is not enough.Yes
2. Did they get a chance to respond?There must be roleplay before gunfire, and they must have had a chance to comply (§3.3, §4.1).Yes
3. Is there a safer option that works?Cover, backup, distance, taser. If a lower step will stop the threat, use it.No

Lethal force only when the answers are yes, yes, no. If you are not sure, you do not fire.

Never

  • Shoot a person who is running away and is not a danger to anyone.
  • Fire warning shots, or fire when a bystander is in your line of fire.
  • Shoot someone who is cuffed, surrendering or complying.
  • Draw your gun to rush a scene. Forcing an outcome is still powergaming (§3.7).
  • Carry or use weapons the department did not issue you (LEO-3.3).

After any shots fired

  1. Call it on the radio right away, with your location.
  2. Ask for EMS for anyone who was hit, suspect included.
  3. Hold the scene. Your own shell casings are evidence too: the evidence system logs every bullet fired (chapter 11).
  4. Make sure your body cam is on: /bodycam (chapter 15).
  5. Write your report before you go off duty.

Highrise City RP · Highrise PD Law Enforcement Guide · Version 0.1 6 / 18