Crime and Punishment
From Chronicles
It may be a surprise to people that the KDPD are -NOT- there to 'serve and protect'. Kingsdale is not a happy, fuzzy place. A full half of the population can wield magic of one sort or another, most of the men and women in it are armed and augmented humans run freely. The Kingsdale Police are *NOT* interested in breaking up every single fight, altercation and 'disturbance of the peace' that happens. Most of the time, such things are left to the people involved to sort out and really, they are more interested in preventing property damage than physical harm.
Where they will intervene is an obvious mismatch or what looks like a crime of brutality. For example, Cyber Snatchers and the like (men and women who prey on augmented people and cut the bionics and cybernetics out of them) are often shot on sight when caught in the act. A mutant animal menacing an innocent looking woman would be a good example too, or a juicer picking on a normal, taxpaying citizen.
This doesn't mean that they will step over a body on the street, but, let's face it. With all of the military men and women who are running around, species of all races and talents, death is not an uncommon thing in Kingsdale. It isn't a complete mess obviously, but it is nothing like we know of in 'organized' society. A good paralell to draw is with the Old West in many ways. Almost everyone is armed in one way or another... Sure, you can go around and beat up people for a bit, and kick an old lady, but someone who sees you eventually is going to shoot you for it. The PD, in many ways, leaves the citizens to police themselves in this way -- unless it is the kind of crime listed above.
Even for such things as murder, and rape, psionic and magic investigation makes it relatively easy and if a murderer, rapist, cyber-snatcher or other sort of heinous crime is shot by someone the most that person can expect is a night in the klink (treated well, though) while they sort out a quick investigation. If someone is attacked first, even lethal self defense seldom gets asked very many questions.
If you are part of the dregs, or a gang-member, the KD PD is not your friend and you are likely to be searched, roughed up and the like if you are seen outside the dregs -- even the Vigilantes, who occasionally work with the PD are often picked on.
Either way, the KDPD is mostly concerned only with large crimes. Rape, Murder and Grand Theft being the biggest things that they actually investigate.
Punishment is typically harsh. Kingsdale's Jails are overcrowded and generally brutal places, and magical/psi investigation leaves little room for error. Trial is a very speedy affair, involving a city council member, the accused, his defender and the accuser and their party. Punishment and guilt are determined by the council members, who are generally very harsh but fair. There is one appeal available, to take the case to the entire city council. This is -ONLY- done where magical and psionic results are inconclusive. Typical punishments are as follows:
Contents |
Murder
(Really, this is only enforced when it was generally a diabolical act. Even someone killed in a fight is rarely prosecuted, this is for more outright murder like an evil necromancer killing an innocent woman, or a mercenary who stabs a civilian for kicks) Exile to the far wilderness with only a combat knife and the clothes ont heir back, or death by firing squad.
Rape
500,000 credits restitution, exile as above, or death by firing squad.
Treason
Death by firing squad.
Consorting with vampyric forces
Death by firing squad.
Cyber Snatching
Death by firing squad.
Grand Theft
Restitution + 25 or exile as above.
Everything else, if the PD have reason at all is typically a heavy fine, some roughing up and being thrown in the klink for a night or two.
Above all (I may have said this before) remember -- most of KD is armed, and if someone is doing something truly wrong, someone WILL take offense and WILL do something about it and in general, the law will let them.
PCs in the KDPD
Players are permitted, with admin permission, to play a KDPC char. To do this, the PC would need to meet certain criteria, such as:
- Be at least 3rd level.
- Be considered an excellent rper by the staff.
- Be aware of the consequences of taking up the position.
The player would start in positions such as police grunt, or council worker / secretary / runner. We'd expect the player to go for the position via legwork, or a staff run TP, and get their influence and promotions by their own actions.
They work within strict boundaries:
- They may not arrest other PCs without either staff permission or that player's agreement AND reasonable cause according to the laws of KD.
- They may not use their positions to either threaten, intimidate or otherwise abuse other players.
- They are all junior members of whichever team they have been placed in. Doing the donkey work / grunt work / unsociable hours, but they are paid a living wage.
While on duty, each rookie KDPD member is issued standard equipment, any damage on duty is paid for by KDPD. While this equipment may be worn off duty, but any damages is required to be paid by the rookie member. A KDPD member may choose to wear their own equipment while on duty, but will only be reimbursed for on the job use.
Standard Equipment List:
- Plastic Man - Full EBA (RUE p268)
- NG-57 Heavy-Duty Ion Blast (RUE p269)
- Neural Mace (RUE p259)
- 3 Full E-Clips while on duty. (RUE p259)
Starting KDPD members are paid 500 credits every 2 IC weeks.
As a KDPD member progresses, he/she may be issued additional equipment as the per mission requires. This is at staff's discretion.
Weapons
People may bring the following into Kingsdale:
- Pistols
- Non-powered Armor
- Vehicles that have only weapons of 4d6 MDC or lighter on board. (Classed as light weapons)
- SDC weapon that is not an explosive. Excluding, a chaingun or the like.
All of the following must be left in lockers at the City Gates:
- Heavy SDC Military Weapons
- MDC Rifles and/or Heavy MDC Weapons
- Explosives MDC or SDC
- Power Armor
- Robot Armor
- Military or Heavy Vehicles
Anything else is considered illegal. Please keep this in mind.
Vehicles
Heavy vehicles are always stored at the landing strip as well. The guards are very efficient about collecting such things, and making sure they are properly kept track of and the like. It IS possible to smuggle such things in the city (not heavy vehicles, though), if one uses their head however.
Guard Behavior at the gates is generally friendly. They ask where someone is going, what they are doing and the like. Sometimes, if someone seems suspicious they ask a few deeper questions, but mostly they collect these things that are illegal in the city. Of course, one gets them back when they leave or head out.
