Police Standard Operating Procedures

POLICE SOP’S

UNSEEN POLICE SERVICE

UK POLICING STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

THIS ISN'T ANOTHER FIVEM CITY. THIS IS UNSEEN.

Document: Police Standard Operating Procedures Jurisdiction: England and Wales – inspired roleplay framework Applies to: All Unseen Police Service personnel Version: 2.0

1. POLICING ETHOS & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Unseen Police Service operates using the principles, procedures and professional expectations of policing in England and Wales.

Our primary responsibilities are to:

Protect life and property.

Prevent and detect crime.

Maintain public order.

Safeguard vulnerable individuals.

Investigate criminal offences.

Uphold the law fairly and impartially.

Maintain public confidence and trust.

All officers are expected to demonstrate honesty, integrity, accountability, fairness and respect.

Officers must follow the National Decision Model (NDM) when making operational decisions.

1.1 The National Decision Model

Officers must consider:

What information and intelligence is available?

What threats and risks exist?

What legal powers and policies apply?

What options are available?

What action is necessary and proportionate?

Does the situation need reassessing?

The Code of Ethics sits at the centre of decision-making.

1.2 Professional Standards

Officers must not:

Abuse police powers.

Fabricate evidence.

Discriminate against members of the public.

Use excessive force.

Arrest people without lawful grounds.

Disregard the rights of detained persons.

Misuse confidential police information.

Place the public at unnecessary risk.

Police officers must be able to justify their decisions, not simply rely on their rank or authority.

2. UK POLICE RANK STRUCTURE

Unseen Police Service will use a British policing rank structure.

The Chief Constable and senior command will determine departmental responsibilities, training requirements and operational appointments.

Rank does not automatically grant firearms or advanced driving qualifications.

2.1 Command Structure

Operational decisions must be taken by appropriately qualified officers.

A constable may exercise lawful policing powers independently, while certain operational decisions require a supervisor or specialist authority.

A higher rank must not interfere with a lawful investigation purely to benefit friends or associates.

3. UNIFORM, EQUIPMENT & DUTY REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Standard Equipment

Routine officers may be issued:

Police radio.

Body-worn video camera.

Handcuffs.

Baton.

PAVA incapacitant spray.

Torch.

First aid equipment.

Approved operational documentation.

Taser carriage is restricted to appropriately trained and authorised officers.

Routine officers must not carry firearms.

3.2 Body-Worn Video

Officers must use body-worn video in accordance with departmental policy.

Relevant encounters include arrests, searches, use-of-force incidents and confrontational situations.

Officers should notify individuals of recording when required and reasonably practical.

Recordings must not be intentionally manipulated or withheld to conceal misconduct.

3.3 Equipment Security

Police equipment must not be sold, traded, given to civilians or used off duty without authorisation.

Officers are responsible for securing their issued equipment.

4. RADIO COMMUNICATIONS & CONTROL

The police radio is a professional operational system.

Officers must communicate clearly and avoid unnecessary chatter.

4.1 Standard Radio Procedure

Officers should provide:

Callsign.

Current location.

Nature of incident.

Assistance required.

Relevant hazards.

Updates and outcome.

Example:

"Control from Alpha One, show us attending a two-vehicle RTC on Great Ocean Highway, possible injuries, requesting ambulance."

4.2 Emergency Communications

Urgent transmissions involving immediate danger to life take priority.

Control may impose radio silence to manage major incidents.

Officers must not intentionally interrupt operational communications.

4.3 Incident Logs

Significant incidents must have an appropriate incident log or reference.

Radio communications and MDT records must accurately reflect what occurred.

5. STOPPING VEHICLES & ROAD TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT

5.1 Vehicle Stops

Under section 163 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, a constable in uniform may require a driver to stop a motor vehicle on a road.

This should be distinguished from the separate legal powers needed to search a vehicle or arrest its occupants.

In Unseen, officers must make vehicle stops reasonably and safely.

5.2 Traffic Stop Procedure

Identify an appropriate stopping location.

Activate police warning equipment.

Inform control of the vehicle stop.

Approach safely.

Introduce yourself.

Explain the reason for the interaction.

Request appropriate documentation where authorised.

Conduct proportionate checks.

Explain the outcome.

Record enforcement action where necessary.

5.3 Officer Discretion

Officers may consider appropriate disposals such as:

Advice.

Verbal warnings.

Traffic offence reports.

Fixed penalty notices where applicable.

Further investigation or prosecution.

The response must suit the offence and circumstances.

5.4 Traffic Stop Conduct

Officers must not:

Automatically remove every driver from their vehicle.

Search cars without lawful authority.

Threaten arrest to obtain cooperation with a voluntary request.

Use unnecessary force.

Treat minor traffic offences as serious criminal incidents without justification.

6. STOP & SEARCH – PACE AND GOWISELY

Stop and search is a significant police power and must be used lawfully.

For routine searches under section 1 of PACE, officers must have reasonable grounds to suspect they will find a relevant prohibited or stolen article.

Different statutory search powers may apply to drugs, weapons or other circumstances.

6.1 Reasonable Grounds

Grounds must be based on objective information, intelligence or observations.

An officer must be capable of explaining why the specific person or vehicle is suspected.

Being nervous, wearing a face covering or being known to police does not automatically justify a search.

6.2 GOWISELY

Before beginning a search, officers must provide the relevant GOWISELY information.

G – Grounds: Explain the grounds for the search.

O – Object: Explain what is being searched for.

W – Warrant card: Identify yourself and show identification where required, particularly when not in uniform.

I – Identity: Provide your name or identification as required.

S – Station: Identify your police station.

E – Entitlement: Explain entitlement to a copy of the search record.

L – Legal power: Identify the power being used.

Y – You are detained: Explain that the individual is detained for the purpose of the search.

6.3 Example Stop and Search

"Hello, I'm PC Smith from Unseen Police Service, based at Mission Row.

I'm detaining you for the purpose of a search under Section 1 of PACE.

You match the description provided following a report of someone carrying a knife in this area, and I've observed you repeatedly holding an object concealed inside your jacket.

I'm searching for a bladed article.

You're entitled to a record of this search."

6.4 Search Limitations

Officers must only search within the authority of the relevant power.

Searches must be conducted with dignity and appropriate consideration for privacy.

The grounds, legal power, items found and outcome must be recorded.

6.5 No Automatic Searches

An officer may speak to a person without searching them.

A traffic stop, refusal to answer voluntary questions or previous criminal history does not automatically authorise a search.

7. ARREST POWERS – PACE SECTION 24

Arrests must follow the principles of Section 24 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and PACE Code G.

7.1 Requirements for Arrest

An officer must have:

Reasonable grounds to suspect an offence, including the individual's involvement as applicable, and reasonable grounds to believe arrest is necessary under a recognised statutory criterion.

Arrest must not be used automatically when a less intrusive option would reasonably achieve the lawful objective.

7.2 Necessity Criteria

Relevant statutory reasons can include:

Establishing a person's name or address.

Preventing physical injury.

Preventing loss of or damage to property.

Preventing an offence against public decency.

Preventing unlawful obstruction of the highway.

Protecting a child or vulnerable person.

Allowing a prompt and effective investigation.

Preventing the person's disappearance from hindering prosecution.

Officers must identify the necessity relevant to the individual circumstances.

7.3 Arrest Procedure

When reasonably practical:

Identify yourself as a police officer.

Tell the individual they are under arrest.

Explain the suspected offence.

Explain the necessity for arrest.

Deliver the appropriate caution.

Apply restraints only where justified.

Conduct any authorised search.

Transport the detainee safely to custody.

7.4 Standard UK Police Caution

"You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence."

Officers should use the appropriate caution for the circumstances, including any required variation.

7.5 No Silent Arrests

Officers must communicate the reason for arrest and necessary information as soon as practicable.

Immediate threats may justify securing a scene before completing the explanation.

7.6 Use of Handcuffs

Handcuffing requires an individual justification based on risk and necessity.

It must not automatically be applied solely because someone has been arrested.

8. CUSTODY – PACE CODE C

Custody must be treated as a separate and accountable stage of the policing process.

8.1 Custody Officer

An appropriately appointed custody officer is responsible for authorising and reviewing the initial grounds for detention and safeguarding detainee welfare.

The arresting officer does not automatically determine whether detention is authorised.

For Unseen, a qualified custody officer should normally perform this role.

8.2 Custody Booking

The custody process must include:

Confirming the detainee's identity.

Recording the grounds and necessity for arrest.

Presenting the circumstances to the custody officer.

Custody authorisation or refusal.

Explaining relevant detainee rights.

Completing a welfare and risk assessment.

Recording and securing property.

Arranging necessary medical assistance.

Recording interview and disposal decisions.

8.3 Detainee Rights

Detainees must be informed of applicable rights, including:

Free and independent legal advice.

Having someone informed of their arrest.

Access to the PACE Codes of Practice.

Information about the offence and reasons for detention.

Appropriate medical assistance.

Interpretation or translation where required.

Appropriate adult safeguards where applicable.

8.4 Legal Representation

A detainee may request legal advice during detention.

Officers must not discourage a detainee from requesting a solicitor.

Unseen must provide a working in-game solicitor process, including an appropriate alternative when no player solicitor is available.

Police must not bypass solicitor rights simply because no player is available.

8.5 Vulnerable Detainees

Vulnerable individuals require additional safeguards, including an appropriate adult when required.

Officers must not exploit someone's vulnerability to obtain statements or admissions.

8.6 Custody Welfare

Officers must take injury, intoxication, mental health concerns and other welfare risks seriously.

Medical assistance must not be withheld as punishment.

9. POLICE INTERVIEWS & INVESTIGATIONS

9.1 Investigative Standards

Police investigations must be fair, objective and evidence-led.

Officers must pursue reasonable lines of enquiry, including information that may support or undermine an allegation.

9.2 Interviews Under Caution

Suspect interviews should follow PACE Code C and applicable recording procedures.

Officers must:

Identify those present.

Explain the offence being investigated.

Give the appropriate caution.

Respect legal representation.

Ask relevant and appropriate questions.

Avoid oppressive or improper questioning.

Accurately record the interview.

9.3 Interviewing Witnesses

Witness statements should include their own account.

Officers must not coach witnesses into giving a preferred version of events.

9.4 Evidence Handling

Officers must document evidence appropriately.

Examples include:

Witness statements.

CCTV.

Body-worn video.

Forensic material.

Vehicle information.

Recovered weapons.

Digital evidence.

Evidence cannot be invented because it would be convenient for the investigation.

9.5 Charging Decisions

In the England and Wales model, police and the Crown Prosecution Service have distinct charging responsibilities depending on the offence and circumstances.

Unseen should simulate this through a published charging and prosecution framework.

Officers must not create additional offences or penalties to punish difficult suspects.

10. POLICE USE OF FORCE

All uses of force must be lawful, necessary and proportionate.

Officers must consider the National Decision Model and relevant legal powers.

10.1 De-escalation

Where feasible, officers should consider:

Communication.

Negotiation.

Creating distance.

Giving clear instructions.

Allowing time.

Requesting additional support.

Disengagement.

De-escalation is an important part of British policing.

10.2 Handcuffs & Physical Restraint

Physical restraint must be justified and must not continue unnecessarily.

Officers must consider the safety and welfare of the restrained person.

10.3 PAVA & Batons

PAVA and batons are use-of-force options.

They must not be used as punishment or merely in response to verbal disrespect.

Officers must consider the circumstances, threat and potential harm.

10.4 Taser Use

Tasers may only be carried by trained and authorised officers.

Taser use requires individual justification.

Officers must not:

Tase people for being verbally disrespectful.

Use tasers as an automatic compliance tool.

Repeatedly discharge a taser without continuing justification.

Ignore medical concerns following deployment.

10.5 Reporting Force

Reportable uses of force must be recorded, including:

Reason for force.

Threat identified.

Options considered.

Force used.

Injuries.

Medical assistance.

Relevant footage.

11. ARMED POLICING – AFO & ARV

British policing does not normally involve every frontline officer carrying a firearm.

Unseen will follow a specialist firearms model.

11.1 Authorised Firearms Officers

Only officers who have completed the appropriate firearms training and hold the required authorisation may deploy with firearms.

Specialist armed officers may operate as part of an Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) unit.

11.2 Armed Deployment

Armed deployments must have a lawful operational purpose and appropriate authorisation under the department's firearms policy.

The mere presence of a firearm does not automatically justify discharging police firearms.

11.3 Firearms Discharge

The use of potentially lethal force is subject to strict necessity, proportionality and protection-of-life principles.

Each officer remains accountable for their individual decision.

11.4 Armed Incident Command

Significant firearms incidents should use appropriate operational command, including firearms command roles where the personnel and circumstances require them.

11.5 Unarmed Officers at Armed Incidents

Unarmed officers must recognise their training and equipment limitations.

They must not behave as though they have the same capabilities as specialist firearms officers.

Protecting life and communicating information remain priorities.

12. POLICE DRIVING & RESPONSE LEVELS

Unseen uses a UK-inspired police driver qualification structure.

12.1 Basic Driver

Authorised for routine police driving.

Not authorised for emergency response driving or pursuits.

12.2 Response Driver

May conduct emergency response driving within their certified authority.

May only participate in pursuit activity if specifically trained and authorised for the applicable phase.

12.3 Initial Phase Pursuit Driver

May participate in an authorised initial-phase pursuit, subject to risk assessment and control-room oversight.

Not authorised to undertake tactical vehicle interventions.

12.4 Advanced / Tactical Phase Driver

May undertake advanced driving and the tactical phase of pursuits within their training and authorisation.

12.5 Specialist Driving

Tactical pursuit and containment methods require additional training, operational assessment and authorisation.

A police rank does not replace the need for driving qualifications.

13. POLICE PURSUIT PROCEDURES

13.1 Pursuit Definition

A pursuit develops when a driver indicates an intention not to stop for police and an officer continues behind with the purpose of stopping the vehicle or reporting its progress.

13.2 Initial Phase

Officers must notify control and seek continued authorisation.

Information should include:

Reason for pursuit.

Vehicle details.

Current location.

Speed and direction.

Road and traffic conditions.

Identified risks.

Driver qualification.

13.3 Tactical Phase

A qualified advanced driver and suitable command arrangements are required for tactical-phase pursuit activity.

Officers must not carry out tactical interventions for which they are not trained.

13.4 Dynamic Risk Assessment

The pursuit must be continually reassessed.

Factors include:

Seriousness of the suspected offence.

Threat to the public.

Road layout.

Traffic conditions.

Pedestrians.

Vehicle capabilities.

Available resources.

Options for bringing the incident to a safe conclusion.

13.5 Discontinuing Pursuits

Officers or control must discontinue a pursuit when the risk becomes disproportionate or no suitable tactical options remain.

There must be no pressure to continue simply because the suspect may escape.

13.6 Tactical Contact

Tactical contact is not an ordinary driving manoeuvre.

It may only be used by appropriately trained and authorised officers in justified circumstances.

For Unseen, tactical contact must never be used as a shortcut to ending a routine pursuit.

13.7 Motorcycles

Police must take particular care with motorcycle pursuits because of the heightened risk of serious injury.

Unseen will prohibit intentional contact with moving motorcycles unless an exceptional threat-to-life situation meets the published specialist authorisation policy.

13.8 GTA Driving

All officers must comply with Unseen's Realism Guide.

Police must not:

Drive off cliffs to follow suspects.

Use impossible mountain routes.

Ignore major collision damage.

Repeatedly ram vehicles without justification.

Treat marked police vehicles as indestructible.

14. ROAD TRAFFIC COLLISIONS

14.1 First Response

Officers attending a road traffic collision (RTC) must consider:

Their own safety.

Public and road-user safety.

Injuries and medical assistance.

Securing the scene.

Witnesses and evidence.

Traffic management.

Appropriate investigation.

14.2 Serious Collisions

Serious and fatal collisions must receive appropriate investigative attention.

The priority is preserving life while protecting relevant evidence.

14.3 Police Vehicle Collisions

Police officers must report significant collisions involving departmental vehicles.

Officers must roleplay injuries and vehicle damage realistically.

A collision occurring during a pursuit is not automatically exempt from review.

15. MAJOR INCIDENTS & PUBLIC ORDER

15.1 Incident Command

Significant incidents must have an identified commander.

For major operations, Unseen may use the UK Gold, Silver and Bronze command structure.

Gold – Strategic: Overall aims and priorities.

Silver – Tactical: Operational plan and coordination.

Bronze – Operational: Delivery of assigned tasks.

15.2 Public Order

Public order incidents require proportionate policing.

Officers must distinguish between peaceful public activity and behaviour creating genuine threats or offences.

15.3 Hostage & Armed Incidents

The preservation of life must remain the primary consideration.

Negotiation, containment and specialist assistance should be considered where appropriate.

15.4 Interagency Working

Police must communicate appropriately with ambulance and fire service personnel.

Medical and fire professionals have responsibilities within their own areas of expertise.

16. CRIME SCENE MANAGEMENT

16.1 Preserving Scenes

Officers should identify relevant scene boundaries, protect evidence and avoid unnecessary contamination.

16.2 Investigative Records

Important evidence must be documented.

Significant investigations should have appropriate crime reports and supporting records.

16.3 Property & Seizures

Property may only be seized under relevant legal authority.

All recovered items must be recorded and appropriately secured.

16.4 Intelligence

Police intelligence is confidential and must not be disclosed for personal benefit.

Officers cannot use information from other characters or OOC sources.

17. SAFEGUARDING & VULNERABILITY

Officers must consider the welfare of children, vulnerable adults and people experiencing a crisis.

They should demonstrate patience, respect and appropriate professional judgement.

Officers should:

Identify immediate risks.

Consider medical needs.

Request appropriate support.

Avoid unnecessary escalation.

Follow custody safeguards.

Record relevant concerns.

Vulnerability is not an excuse to disregard someone's rights.

18. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS & DISCIPLINE

18.1 Misconduct

Examples include:

Unlawful searches.

Arrests without proper grounds.

Excessive force.

Evidence fabrication.

Abuse of police powers.

Improper disclosure of information.

Unrealistic driving.

Failure to safeguard detainees.

Discrimination or harassment.

Repeated failure to follow procedures.

18.2 Supervisor Responsibilities

Sergeants and above must address poor practice when observed.

Supervisors should provide guidance, training and support, while taking proportionate disciplinary action where necessary.

18.3 Consequences

Depending on severity, misconduct may result in:

Informal coaching.

Formal warning.

Mandatory retraining.

Suspension of specialist qualifications.

Temporary suspension.

Demotion.

Dismissal.

Serious conduct may also be referred to Unseen server management.

18.4 Complaints

Members of the public must be able to submit police complaints.

Complaints should be reviewed impartially and officers must not retaliate against complainants.

19. OFFICER TRAINING & ASSESSMENTS

19.1 Student Officer Training

All new officers must complete an initial programme covering:

Professional standards.

UK policing terminology.

The National Decision Model.

PACE arrest powers.

Stop and search.

GOWISELY.

Custody procedures.

Traffic enforcement.

Radio procedure.

Use-of-force principles.

Realistic driving.

Crime scene management.

Safeguarding.

19.2 Practical Assessment

Before independent patrol, officers should demonstrate:

A professional traffic stop.

A legally justified stop and search.

An arrest with an appropriate necessity explanation.

Correct use of the police caution.

Basic custody handover.

Appropriate conflict management.

Safe police driving.

Accurate report writing.

19.3 Specialist Training

Advanced roles require additional qualifications.

These may include:

Response driving.

Initial-phase pursuit driving.

Advanced driving.

Taser.

Authorised firearms.

Criminal investigation.

Public order.

Incident command.

20. THE UNSEEN POLICING COMMITMENT

Unseen Police Service is built on the principles of British policing.

We expect officers to demonstrate the judgement, integrity and professionalism associated with the office of constable.

An arrest is not automatically a successful outcome.

A pursuit is not automatically a failure because someone escapes.

A suspect refusing to answer questions is not an excuse for intimidation.

Being challenged by a member of the public is not justification for misconduct.

Our officers must make decisions based on law, necessity, proportionality and public safety.

We want realistic investigations, meaningful custody roleplay, professional traffic policing and officers who understand the responsibilities attached to their powers.

The badge represents responsibility, not immunity from consequences.

Policing is not about winning. It is about serving the public and upholding the law.