Modify the Uniform Regulations for the Head of Security

[DeadLantern]

The current uniform policy on HoS is stated here: "Uniformed security employees are to wear only standard equipment provided by NanoTrasen. Security uniforms do not include personal clothing, or items that would significantly impact the crew's ability to immediately identify security personnel. Minor alterations to uniform equipment are permitted in order to accommodate non-human species... Personnel failing to meet these requirements are in violation of failing to execute an order, and are to be processed for such."

For Security Officers and Wardens, I understand this protocol, both on an IC and OOC level. ICly, an officer would have to be quickly recognizable in an emergency situation, and personal outfits get in the way of such. As well as this, officers and wardens running around in skirts or shorts would make very little sense and would break immersion. However, this regulation also states that "Investigative personnel are permitted to sport business wear of their choice."

I recommend that we extend this specific rule towards investigative personnel to the Head of Security.

Firstly, the reason why Investigative personnel are permitted to sport business wear is because they are not actively involved in firefights or otherwise strenuous situations. They are mostly regulated to surveying crime scenes and interrogating criminals, which is not work that necessitates a uniform. And, if bad times do come, and a Detective is forced to broker a hostage deal or use his pistol, business wear (a suit, trenchcoat, etc) is perfectly suitable for those types of situations.

Seeing as this is the case, I see little reason why this rule should not also apply to Heads of Security. Heads of Security, similar to investigative personnel, are not actively involved in hostile situations. The role of Head of Security actually has a lot in common with a Detective/FT in game flow--most of the time, they are sitting around and doing not-in-a-hostile-firefight stuff. But, occasionally, a Detective or a Head of Security is thrust into such a situation--and, in those emergency situations, business casual works fine.

Looking at the points above, I don't think there's a real reason why HoS's should not have more lax uniform restrictions. HoS's are not going to show up wearing skirts and corsets, as they'll still be confined to the "business wear" that the investigations division is subject to. While the HoS may find themselves on the frontline more often than the detective, it is certainly not going to be a normal situation, as Heads of Security should avoid direct fire at all costs unless there is a shortage of officers. The decreased restrictions on the HoS's wear will allow characters to find unique aesthetics and generally improve the player experience in what is often such a confining role.

If you do have a concern with this suggestion, please leave a comment below or DM me about it. Otherwise, I think this suggestion is reasonable enough.

[Carver]

tl;dr: HoS should be allowed to wear suits.

+1, I like the idea of more corporate-oriented HoS characters who value professionalism and delegation, and suits are a great way to express that.

[Arrow768]

Moving to policy suggestions as this pertains to a current ic policy.

[geeves]

at first i thought this was silly, but it actually makes quite a bit of sense, hos should not be frontliners if they can help it

+1

[DatSamTho]

This actually makes a lotta sense, and gets a +1 from me. I do like the idea of more desk sitting paper-pusher HoS, and it could at least slightly discourage HoS players from frontlining.

[DeadLantern]

I'm bumping this. Could we get a word on this matter? Is CCIAA fine with this change?

[The lancer]

Uuh yes sorry I forgot. 

The HoS has powers to arrest individuals, as such, they must be easily recognisable and adhere to uniform regulations. They must also set the example to the officers. These are the main issues that need to be considered.

[DeadLantern]

The detective also has powers to arrest individuals (if they do not, I see them do it commonly). However, as I've stated in my post, the HoS's main duty is not to be arresting people, and will mostly regulated to barking orders. While I agree, they should be easily recognizable as a figure of security, this does not necessarily mean they must wear the corporate-mandated suits. Like the Detective, once can easily recognize the detective by their badge, ID, and the restrictions of "business casual". This suggestion would do the same for the HoS, which would still allow the HoS to be easily recognized by the general crew, because they'd have the HoS badge, their ID, and a suit/other business casual wear.

As for setting an example for officers, that's a bit more nebulous. I suppose the HoS should set a good example for their officers, but again, they can be a good example and also wear a suit at the same time. If whatever the HoS is wearing is not a good example for the Officers, then it would not be considered business casual. 

[Carver]

Chances are if there's a situation in which the HoS needs to be personally making an arrest, he'll have some form of armour on or announce himself (whether vocally or by the presence of other Security personnel). Wearing a suit doesn't exactly disguise the HoS at all, especially given that most antagonists are fairly observant.

The professionalism of formal business attire is nowhere near setting a negative example, this isn't suggesting the HoS walk around in jeans and a t-shirt or a skimpy dress.

[Butterrobber202]

On 19/02/2021 at 14:44, DeadLantern said:

The detective also has powers to arrest individuals (if they do not, I see them do it commonly). However, as I've stated in my post, the HoS's main duty is not to be arresting people, and will mostly regulated to barking orders. While I agree, they should be easily recognizable as a figure of security, this does not necessarily mean they must wear the corporate-mandated suits. Like the Detective, once can easily recognize the detective by their badge, ID, and the restrictions of "business casual". This suggestion would do the same for the HoS, which would still allow the HoS to be easily recognized by the general crew, because they'd have the HoS badge, their ID, and a suit/other business casual wear.

As for setting an example for officers, that's a bit more nebulous. I suppose the HoS should set a good example for their officers, but again, they can be a good example and also wear a suit at the same time. If whatever the HoS is wearing is not a good example for the Officers, then it would not be considered business casual. 

Straight from Wiki Town on the Detective Bit:

"Detectives are allowed to detain a suspect if they directly witness an infraction, but it is still wise to summon security, given that there is no immediate threat to the station or crew."

[BunkyB]

Talking as a Detective gamer, the other Investigations Staff I see don't wear buis-cas and instead go for their personal clothing, some even without their DIA Badge - though this is besides the point.

If this change were to happen, I'd expect all HoS' to wear the 'Badge, HoS' item in a clear spot on their loadout. (belt slot, over-wear accessory, etc.) Possibly even adding a security armband to their loadout.

Detectives have the resources and capabilities to detain a suspect, but hand over processing to the officers, as investigations staff don't process people. If you were to play as a pen-pusher HoS, I'd expect you to delegate processing to your officers if you bring someone in, continuing; don't over-equip as a buis-cas HoS (don't make a sec belt part of your loadout)

 

Other than those 'issues' I'm all for this. +1

+Edit

Badges can't be attached to plate carriers, which sucks, you may have to keep your badge on your belt slot if required to wear a plate carrier.

Edited February 24, 2021 by BunkyB
remark about plate carriers

[DronzTheWolf]

16 hours ago, BunkyB said:

Talking as a Detective gamer, the other Investigations Staff I see don't wear buis-cas and instead go for their personal clothing, some even without their DIA Badge - though this is besides the point.

If this change were to happen, I'd expect all HoS' to wear the 'Badge, HoS' item in a clear spot on their loadout. (belt slot, over-wear accessory, etc.) Possibly even adding a security armband to their loadout.

Detectives have the resources and capabilities to detain a suspect, but hand over processing to the officers, as investigations staff don't process people. If you were to play as a pen-pusher HoS, I'd expect you to delegate processing to your officers if you bring someone in, continuing; don't over-equip as a buis-cas HoS (don't make a sec belt part of your loadout)

 

Other than those 'issues' I'm all for this. +1

+Edit

Badges can't be attached to plate carriers, which sucks, you may have to keep your badge on your belt slot if required to wear a plate carrier.

All Security issue armors have badges built in. Right click it and toggle the badge.

[stev]

19 hours ago, BunkyB said:

Badges can't be attached to plate carriers, which sucks, you may have to keep your badge on your belt slot if required to wear a plate carrier.

This was a bug with the plate carriers, got fixed last night.

3 hours ago, DronzTheWolf said:

All Security issue armors have badges built in. Right click it and toggle the badge.

Plate carriers don't have the badge built in anymore.

[DronzTheWolf]

44 minutes ago, stev said:

This was a bug with the plate carriers, got fixed last night.

Plate carriers don't have the badge built in anymore.

Shame.. Oh well

[The lancer]

On 19/02/2021 at 22:44, DeadLantern said:

The detective also has powers to arrest individuals (if they do not, I see them do it commonly). However, as I've stated in my post, the HoS's main duty is not to be arresting people, and will mostly regulated to barking orders.

Detectives are not supposed to have arresting powers, and should not do that. It is much more common for a Head of Security to join their team of officers in all sorts of situations, perform arrests or outright act as an officer when there is none on board. I would be in favour if they swapped between uniform and business casual depending on the situation, but that would be both incredibly cumbersome and would overcomplicate things, not to mention that I don't believe many people would even follow this.

[Carver]

12 hours ago, The lancer said:

I would be in favour if they swapped between uniform and business casual depending on the situation, but that would be both incredibly cumbersome and would overcomplicate things, not to mention that I don't believe many people would even follow this.

One could simply make their armour the 'uniform' part of such actions, so the HoS has to wear a vest or something protective from the brig as policy if they're intending on doing things personally.

[DeadLantern]

The armor would make the HoS easily identifiable if the HoS is wearing a business casual suit. Additionally, I say again: the HoS has the HoS's badge as well as the HoS's ID, making him easily spotted through an examine verb. I think the need for visual clarity is overemphasized in this case. Having HoS's spec out into different types of wear is not going to make them completely unrecognizable--if it does, it's not 'business causal'. Additionally, while you are wearing the armor, you can hardly see the uniform under it, anyways. I really see no problem of identification arising from this proposed change. 

[Bear]

On 25/02/2021 at 01:41, The lancer said:

Detectives are not supposed to have arresting powers, and should not do that. It is much more common for a Head of Security to join their team of officers in all sorts of situations, perform arrests or outright act as an officer when there is none on board. I would be in favour if they swapped between uniform and business casual depending on the situation, but that would be both incredibly cumbersome and would overcomplicate things, not to mention that I don't believe many people would even follow this.

Have to put a -1 to this after a long debate with myself.

In a perfect world we would write a policy on acceptable dress. However, this is not a perfect world and we already have too much information overload, adding a comprehensive list on appropriate dress for this role is not realist. Furthermore, the Head of Security is expected to intervene, unlike forensics or investigations. This is the deciding factor in my -1. The HoS is still a combatant role with access to the entire department's supply of weaponry along with the warden and is expected to coordinate their team in response to threats to the station. Secondly. there are few roles that need to be immediately identifiable. Like security officers, this is one of them. 

As someone who *loves* creative freedom with uniforms. This is one of the *few* roles I cannot say I approve of it being laxed. It starts a bad precedent that will lead to more conflicts that good in the long run in my opinion.

Edited February 28, 2021 by Bear