Just over 3 months ago ownership of Asylum was transferred to @BaDaBiNg_10-8 and @Clint Beastwood. A lot has been accomplished in that short time span with much more planned. This topic is to acknowledge those accomplishments and share a roadmap for the future of Asylum.
Within the first 30 Days
Servers returned to full or nearly full during peak times
Opened up past bans for a second chance
Brought on a new lead developer
3 contributors were also brought in
Removed the unpopular money and group caps
Within the last 3 months
Migrated servers to a new host
Updated the website front and back end (it needed it badly)
Continued to roll out a patch every month that not only fixes past issues but takes community feedback and makes it a reality
Increased server stability (While we aren't where we would like to be yet, it has come a long way from December)
Upgraded player reporting systems to a streamlined ticket system (Shout out to Mitch for this one)
Introduced new weapons to the player base
This is just a snap shot from the last 90 days. Even more has been done on the back end to improve server stability and functionality.
Now that we've looked at what has been done, a preview is in order for the future of asylum.
A complete re-write of asylum's code from the ground up
Replacement of current MyAsylum page and features
A re-work of the housing/crate system
Re-work of vehicle, police, and ems lighting
White-listed medics
Various cartel changes
Additional armor and weapons
New vehicle and clothing skins
Re-work of talent trees
Many more items on the list, these are just some of the features we are most excited for.
As with anything in development all points are subject to not only change but may never see the light of day. In an effort to be transparent we felt it was time give a glimpse behind the scenes of what the Dev's are working on in addition to the regular content/bug fix patches. @Mitch (IFRIT) and myself look over the suggestion section of the forums almost daily and take that feedback and pass it a long to the owners and dev's for what the community wants and in some cases doesn't want. And while not everything suggested will be implemented we value that feedback and want to give a big thank you to those who offer it.
As a final note I wanted to take a line or two and say Thank You to the community as a whole. With out you Asylum wouldn't exist. From the admins who dedicate their free time looking over player reports and compensation requests, to the support staff who sit in Teamspeak everyday waiting to help players, to the gangs whom without the APD wouldn't have much to do, to the APD for keeping the streets safe for the apple pickers and diamond miners, to the Kavalians teaching new players how to put their hands up when being robbed, Thank You. The people are what makes Asylum what it is.
Introduction
This guide will provide the Asylum Police Department (APD) with basic policies on proper police procedure. Please direct any questions to Sergeants and above.
Basic Police Conduct
Always keep weapon lowered when there is no threat. (Hit L-CTRL twice) Always be respectful to civilians and other officers. Always follow server rules and police procedures. Always stay in character.
Probable Cause
Probable cause is the reason for an officer to take action. (The standard by which an constable or agent of the law has the grounds to obtain a warrant for, or as an exception to the warrant requirements for, making an arrest or conducting a personal or property search, etc. when criminal charges are being considered.)
What is Probable Cause? Probable cause is:
Seeing a person(s) or vehicle(s) in an illegal area.
Seeing a crime committed, or a seeing a civilian that is on the wanted list (With a bounty over 2,500).
Someone with Grand Theft, Attempted Auto theft charges
Individual(s) having illegal weapons/vehicles.
Suspect(s) evading arrest.
Witnessing a civilian self-incriminate (they admit to possessing contraband, committing a crime etc.)
Seeing an RV emitting Smoke
Seeing a person purposely offroad and attempt to drive around manned APD checkpoints. (Doing an 180 turn to avoid a checkpoint is not probable cause.)
Someone currently in the process of committing a Grand Theft or has committed a Grand Theft but has no charges.
Any individual found inside the Federal Reserve
Probable cause is not:
You see a truck on a highway, it is NOT probable cause.
You see a vehicle NEAR an illegal area, it is NOT probable cause.
You are told someone is doing something illegal by a civilian, this is NOT probable cause.
Seeing an RV NOT emitting Smoke
Knowing that a civilian has committed crimes in the past.
Witness Types Direct Witness
If you personally witness a crime, then you are allowed by law to restrain the individual(s) and charge them accordingly, be it with a verbal warning, ticket, or jail time.
Eye Witness
If a civilian provides intel of a crime, it is often very difficult to determine the legitimacy of such claim. Therefore, gather as much evidence as possible, and move forward. (IE: 911 Call comes in about a Red SUV traveling well over speed limits on the highway near the airport. If you see such a vehicle with said description, it is enough to pull them over and question the subject (this does not give you probable cause to search).
Relayed Witness
A relayed witness is simply another officer giving you his first hand information on a crime and/or suspect. Proceed with Direct Witness Procedure at this point.
Grey Area
Unfortunately, this comes with the game, and must be treated with legit role-play.
For example, you see a vehicle on a road to/from an illegal area, it is not means for probable cause. HOWEVER, you may pull them over, and question them. You may ask to search them or the vehicle, if they give their consent, you may search their vehicle. If they refuse, you are not allowed to search. If you do NOT have probable cause, you need the civilians consent before you can search. If you are ever unsure as to whether or not you have probable cause, ask a senior officer. If one is unavailable and you cannot get a definitive answer, assume you don’t have probable cause to search. It’s better for one criminal to get away, than for officers to overstep their bounds and violate the rights of the citizens of Altis.
Wanted List/Confronting Criminals
One of your primary duties as a police officer will involve handling civilians on the Wanted List. There are several important points to remember when approaching a civilian who is wanted.
As a Police Officer your primary weapon is your VOICE, you always speak first and use your weapon second. ALWAYS announce yourself as a police officer when confronting a suspect. (ie “Altis Police, can I speak with you?” If possible, try to identify you suspect by name, as to get their attention. Always speak with a suspect before restraining, never run up behind a suspect and restrain them without first making contact with them.
If a suspect flees, you are allowed to use non-lethal force to stop them. If a suspect requests to speak with a superior officer, you must respect their request and get in contact with a senior officer (SGT or above). If one is not available you may proceed with your duties.
Searching
You are allowed to search a civilian if one of the following criteria is met: you have probable cause or you are given consent by the civilian in question.
If you do not have probable cause, you may ask an individual if you can search their person and/or vehicle. If the individual gives you consent, you are free to search them and their vehicle. Obviously if they have something illegal on them, they may not consent. Even though you may suspect they have illegal substances, without their consent you cannot search them.
If you have probable cause, you may search and individual and/or their vehicle without their consent. Just always be sure to follow proper police procedure and always ensure that you have probable cause before searching. If you are ever unsure, ASK a superior!
Ticketing
The Asylum Police Department has a ticket first, jail second policy. Meaning, you should always attempt to give the suspect a ticket for their crimes. Civilians have the right to skip the ticket process and go immediately to jail. Below are a few procedures you should follow when giving tickets.
You will find that many civilians may decline the first ticket you give and request to be sent to jail, only to change their mind at a later point. While it is acceptable to give them another chance to pay the ticket; do not give a civilian more than three chances to pay a ticket. If they refuse the third attempt to pay the ticket, take them to jail. At this point they are only stalling and wasting your time. Always issue a single ticket for all charges and check wanted list. (IE. You see a civilian shoot and kill another player. After restraining them you issue them a $5,000 ticket for manslaughter.
They pay the ticket, as you are about to unrestrain them you realize they are on the wanted list for multiple other charges. You CANNOT keep them detained and re-ticket them. It is YOUR responsibility to check the charges BEFORE issuing the ticket.)
Arresting
After refusal to pay a ticket, you may take a suspect to jail. This is done at the nearest Police HQ. When you arrive at the Police HQ, inform them why they are being sent to jail. Keep in mind, if they request a supervisor at this point, you still must comply and request a senior officer. However, the senior officer does not need to comply if they are busy or too far away. At this point you may send them to jail and collect the bounty.
John Oasis liked a post in a topic by Leady in Where we've come from, Where we are headed.
