Stormwind Army Field Manual: Law Enforcement

The Law Enforcement chapter of the Stormwind Army Field Manual covers how the soldiers of the Stormwind Army are supposed to act when enforcing the law across the Kingdom of Stormwind.

Acknowledgements:
Lord Maxen Montclair,

Duke of Westridge.

Marshal of the Stormwind Army.

Sir Jeremaias Auromere,

Knight of Stormwind.

Lieutenant of the Stormwind Army.

Law Enforcement Duties
All soldiers shall, within their jurisdictional limits, prevent crime, preserve the peace, protect life and property, detect and arrest violators of the law, and enforce the laws of the Kingdom of Stormwind, according to the rules, regulations, and general orders of the army.

Agents of the crown must know that when they act under color of law, they are enforcing the law according to code and protocol. Further, officers shall exhibit good moral character in the administration of their duties according to regional orders.

Investigation
Method is key to any official action the soldier takes. He is not merely a weapon of the Kingdom of Stormwind and of the Grand Alliance, but he is also a representative of the king and of the people. If he performs his duties competently and with respect, he earns the respect of those around him--for himself, his commanders, and his fellow citizens.

This section of the manual is designed to assist the soldier in matters of process and deportment.

Deportment
Before even the first question is asked or the first piece of evidence gathered, the soldier's appearance and attitude will have an impact. The old sayings about first impressions are true; people decide from that first moment what they think and how they will react.

As such, it is critical to behave appropriately from the start of any situation.

When an agent of the crown is made aware of a situation, he should immediately use a messenger to announce it to his unit. No situation should be handled alone if another soldier is available to assist.

The highest-ranking soldier should announce his own name and the names of any other men who have arrived with him to the citizens in question. This establishes one's identity, reinforces the impression that the situation is now under control, and identifies to the citizens who is the primary person responsible.

He must approach with courtesy and calm. If he begins rudely or even tersely, the pride of the citizens will be wounded and they will be much less likely to cooperate.

The lower-ranking soldiers present should behave with deference to their superior at all times. If the superior is questioning witnesses, he should not be interrupted. He certainly should not be contradicted at any time.

Additionally, it is not appropriate for any soldier present to pronounce an opinion or a conclusion before a full investigation has been concluded. No accusations should be made, either; actions should simply be taken or warnings issued as needed.

Maintain the good opinion of the people, and you maintain your own reputation and that of other workers of justice.

Handling of Incidents
Investigation is like combat. No two incidents are the same, but all are conducive to being handled according to forms. A familiar pattern followed will allow any soldier to determine proper procedure based on the circumstances, and change his method appropriately.

Upon arriving at the scene, the senior responding agent of the crown should announce himself and any soldiers who have accompanied him. He should then determine if anyone is injured or in emotional distress, and assign his men to render aid if necessary.

He should then determine if all parties to the incident are still present. Simply asking "What seems to be the trouble?" will generally result in more information than he can process at once, but it can serve to start the ball rolling if he is at a loss for any other means.

Those soldiers who are not rendering medical assistance at this time should be assigned to securing the area for any physical evidence.

At this point, he should identify all witnesses. No two people will experience the same event in the same way, so any witness' statement may provide crucial details that others' lack.

The soldier then should proceed to ask questions of each party and each witness, separately if possible. He should ask no leading questions, and try not to permit the witnesses to discuss details with one another, so as to avoid anyone's memory being tampered with.

Any details that sound unlikely or peculiar should be focused on. You may wish to remove obstinate suspects to the Stockade for more intensive questioning.

If the incident involves an injury or death, or extensive property damage, a written report should be filed in the local law office.

Arrests
A soldier's duty is to ensure the safety of both the city and it's people. It is to uphold the law and abide by it at the same time. And nothing could be more against, than arresting anyone that displeases that soldier, or that they have even the slightest of suspicions with little to no proof.

Arrests should always be a last resort!
If something can be resolved with words then by all means it should be done. A gentle reminder that there are laws in place, and that they will be upheld for the good of all, is often enough to stop most disturbances.

Be smart. If two people are exchanging heated words, and it looks like the situation will escalate, kindly ask them to stop and offer to mediate the situation instead of arresting them. On the same note, neither a slap to the face nor a playful jab will warrant an arrest.

Soldiers may elect to only give warnings to first-time offenders of minor crimes. Consult your superior ranking officers if you are uncertain about a situation's circumstances for punishment.

Making an Arrest
Should an arrest be necessary (That is to say that other paths have been tried and it has been decided that there is no other option available), you must treat the individual with civility, and not make an effort to worsen a bad situation.

You must first inform the offender that he or she will be taken in for disrupting the peace.

If the offender refuses, or becomes violent, it is your duty to convince the offender to cooperate or subdue the offender to a point of surrender.

When to Use Force
Every agent of the crown has a right to self-defense in his duty of enforcing the king's law. There is a keen difference between provocation and physical force. If a citizen is spitting on you, or verbally assaulting you, you still do not use force. If armed force is used against an agent of the crown, he or she is permitted to return the favor in kind.

It is expected that soldiers use only the force they need to subdue violent offenders to the point of surrender. Do NOT wound or kill criminals who are broken and subdued. If a criminal is to be executed, they will face public execution at the gallows - not to be slaughtered like an animal in the king's streets.

Only attack first if the situation absolutely calls for it. Use your judgement. If an offender's actions put others in danger, do what you must to the protect life and property of the king's subjects.

Once the Offender Cooperates
Whether you subdue a criminal through peace or violence, if the offender is armed, instruct the offender to drop his or her weapons on the ground.

Once the offender's weapons are at a safe distance from him or her, instruct the offender to come with you to the nearest garrison or prison for processing. Hold your weapon gingerly at a distance where you could immobilize or strike at the criminal if he or she attempted to flee or cause harm.

Interrogation
Once the offender has been taken to any guard or watch post, it is your duty to question the offender's involvement in the crime.

During this time, you will attempt to develop a rapport with the suspect, using casual conversation to create a non-threatening atmosphere. People tend to like and trust people who are like them, so the you may claim to share some of the suspect's interests or beliefs. If the suspect starts talking to you about harmless things, it becomes harder to stop talking (or start lying) later when the discussion turns to the crime.

Prisoner Protocol
Once you have detained someone who is awaiting a sentence, there are a number of procedures to follow.

Put them in the cell, and search them for any concealed weapons, illegal substances, anything of that nature, in all layers of their clothing.

Tell them when their sentence will be determined, or how long they will be staying in their cell.

If you can, build a profile of them, a description, if you will.

Shut the cell door, lock it. Check to see that the door is locked properly.

The prisoner may have a visitor once a day for ten minutes. Be sure to search the visitor for weapons, papers, and contraband before and after the visitation.

Punishment
A criminal is only to be held in captivity until his or her sentence is determined. His majesty does not want resources wasted on those who would break his laws.

Once the criminal's sentence has been determined, you must remove the criminal from the cell, and carry out the said sentence promptly.

Written Reports
Any written report should contain:

•The names of the parties involved;

•A description of the unknown parties, if any ((their toons' names in OOC brackets));

•The names of the witnesses;

•A description of the incident, including any offenses;

•The statements of all parties and witnesses;

•A timeline of the incident;

•The names of responding personnel; and

•The signature of the writer of the report.

Supplemental reports should be added if further investigation is warranted.

International Investigations

On occasion, an investigation may take one outside of the boundaries of Stormwind and its lands. Under these circumstances, certain protocols must be observed.

Permission must be granted by a senior or commanding officer before any further action is taken. When that permission is granted, the soldier is to contact the appropriate member of whichever organization has jurisdiction over the destination. No further actions are to be taken until permission is acquired.

Jurisdictions
(although this is a professional courtesy rather than a requirement, this courtesy will be observed)

Ironforge
•The Dwarven Vanguard

Lordaeron
•The League of Lordaeron

•The Blood of Lordaeron

Kul Tiras
•Kul Tiras Marines

Stromgarde
•Arathorian Coalition

•Blood of Arathor

•Kingdom of Arathor

Darnassus
•The Moonblade

•Lineage of the Moon

Gilneas
•The Blades of Greymane

•The Township of Darel'horth

Gnomeregan
•The Genome Project

Exodar
•The Shadows of Argus

Church of the Light
•The Clergy of the Holy Light

As the investigation progresses in the foreign jurisdiction, all activity must be documented. This will be in the form of supplemental reports, which are to be added to the original written report as created.

When in a foreign jurisdiction, the soldier is on duty 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week. He will observe all standards of conduct, and will refrain from drinking, smoking, carousing, and discourteous behavior. The soldier away from base represents his home nation and his unit to the local population.

Upon concluding business in the foreign jurisdiction, the soldier is to seek permission from his superiors to move to whatever location is next.