The HPD thrives on corruption and often it starts to turn unrealistic. We all try our best to create scenarios and reasons to explain some things, but there have been many complaints about repeat offenders becoming cops. This is our answer to that. It IS final, only because the HPD is one group that has to be regulated more strictly due to the power they have in the sim.
Career criminals will need to jump through IC and OOC hoops to become a cop starting this month. In the end, HPD upper ranks have final say on the matter. This means if they feel it is too unrealistic to have you on board, then that character will not be allowed.
Current Officers who were criminals will be grandfathered in, but we strongly encourage all players to think realistically. Many officers have complained about the unfairness & selfishness of having those who they arrested, still have warrants out for, been tortured by, etc getting a badge and having to stand beside them. We agree. HPD has always been held more accountable for things and this matter should be no different.
We have realized that players have become even worse at accepting the consequences of their actions, especially long term. This is not just one or two people. It's become a recent trend of both big time and small time criminals. We strongly encourage that those with a criminal record rethink their 'copness' and consider making a new character if HPD is where you want to be. Those who still want to remain cops on their criminal character, as well as future 'criminal' cops, will have all records, criminal tags and points permanently deleted since ICly it would mean there never had been any convictions or the record was expunged. If you decide to stop being a cop, you will have to restart your criminal history. This seems to be the fair way to approach the matter, without forcing anyone to stop RPing what they want. One shouldn't be able to pull up a cop's record and see they have been arrested over and over.
How this will work
All citizens who have a certain amount a criminal points will be automatically blocked from applying to the HPD and told what to do next if they wish to pursue being a cop.
If HPD allows your character to be part of the HPD, your criminal record will be wiped (forever) and it will be taken as an IC court action. (i.e record was expunged). You will then be able to apply.
More Consequences for Criminals:
To address some other feelings of discontent, every few months all active CRIMINAL tag holders or above will get messaged a choice to serve for their convicted crimes in a fun closed prison RP environment that can last from 2-4 RL weeks. This will be guaranteed dark RP hosted on a private sim. It will also allow for cross RP with some of DE's criminals and allow players to interact with new faces. Our hope is that this will prevent criminals from feeling they escaped the law.
Consequences for Cops
Paid Leave of absences will be an option for cops who can't seem to keep getting caught being bad! This is for those cases of ICly proven and repeated illegal activity that can't be explained (like they were 'undercover'). The length of time will be negotiated. During this time, their access to rosters and huds will be limited, but they will remain in the group.
Thank you very much for emails received about these matters. We hope this will alleviate some of the issues that have been occurring without alienating players. Please, be mindful that all leads must take into account not just how fun you may be, but possible negative effects on a groups IC dynamic... and keep things realistic.
