**letiVERSITY Moderation Manual V1.0.0**
Introduction

This manual has been produced as a guide to help moderators decide what action to take and how to take it during their duties. It is important to combine the advice in this guide with your own discretion in cases it does not cover.

**Moderator Rules**
Moderators chosen by the development team and those allocated by departments are subject to the following rules:

* Keep to the very rules in the environment(s) under moderation
* Moderation powers should not be abused or misused at any time, this includes for personal gain, such as using the watch command to pursue criminal suspects
* Act fairly and without bias in each action made
* Discuss any moderation action concerns in the private Moderator channels
* Keep professionalism and maturity when dealing with moderation queries and actions
* Report any issues you may have with another moderator to a member of the development team
* If bias could hinder your decision, perhaps ask another moderator to make this decision
* Breaking any of these rules may lead to loss of moderation powers. Moderation powers may also be removed for any reason by the development team.

**Discord**
The State of letiVERSITY Discord and all Discords for department purposes should follow the rules set forth in the #discord-rules channel in the State of letiVERSITY Discord.

The State of letiVERSITY Discord is the only Discord which should contain channels accessible to the general public/citizens of letiVERSITY. It is for this reason that moderators in this server are handpicked by the development team for their dedication and commitment to the community.

Other letiVERSITY-related Discords are to be moderated by the very departments they represent e.g. The Sheriff’s Office Discord may be moderated by those who are Lieutenant and above. Therefore, it is the responsibility of department leaders to ensure these servers abide by the rules.

Suggested Actions
1. Content that is Not Safe For Work is completely forbidden
* NSFW content includes nudity, intense sexuality, profanity, violence/gore or content others may find disturbing. Depending on the severity, users should most often be permanently banned.

2. Be respectful to each member of the server
* This rule can often be covered by Rule 5 when language comes to that level, however, this is most often applied during arguments between users. It is important to grasp the context of the situation to ensure moderation is being fairly applied to all offenders and identify whether rules are actually being broken or it’s a joke both users understand. Offenders should be muted for an hour before being soft-banned and then permanently banned if they continue.

3. Spamming of any kind is not acceptable in any channel
* Spamming may include sending copy-pastas, repetitive messages, the same message over and over, large numbers of emoji, loud/obnoxious microphone noises, and mentioning a large number of users at a time. Users should be muted for an hour first before being permanently banned if they continue afterwards.

4. No excessive amounts of swearing
* Swearing is allowed within letiVERSITY Discords, but it should never reach obnoxious levels where a user appears to be using it in almost every message they send. Users should be muted for an hour first before being permanently banned if they continue following the ban.

5. No derogatory terms or other inappropriate language
* Derogatory terms are those which incite hate speech. Have a look at Ofcom’s list of naughty words NSFW for some examples. Users using derogatory terms should first be muted for an hour with an attached reason, if they continue such language after they’re un-muted or the language used initially was severe (e.g., n word), a permanent ban should be used.

6. No offensive Discord avatars or usernames.
* Any avatars or usernames that would ordinarily be removed if they were posted in a text channel would be classed as offensive under this rule. Users should be kicked with the reason and instruction to change their picture before being permanently banned if they rejoin with the same avatar/username.

7. No advertising or Discord invites to other unrelated servers
* It’s important that a Discord obtainable via the Roblox website only links to other “safe” and development-verified Discords. The Dyno bot automatically removes Discord invite links but people may still spread the individual codes. Users should be warned first via @ mentions before being soft-banned if they continue, further violations should be met with a permanent ban.

``Invites and links that are found in links sent on the Discord are allowed, this is most often used during the election campaigning process.``

8. No publishing of personal information
* Doxing is the public release of personal information against someone’s will. This can range from profile pictures to extremes such as address and telephone numbers. Violations of this warrant a permanent ban, you should also contact an administrator for further action.

9. Use common sense
* Just a statement to think before you post.

10. Use the language we can moderate, English
* Generally all other languages should be moderated under with rule, mainly with verbal warnings before escalating under the usual procedures. Common phrases found in other languages such as “Bonjour”, “Nein”, “Bon voyage” etc. are exempt from this rule. The rule mainly should be applied when full sentences are formed in other languages.

__Commands__

``ban`` Bans the chosen user either permanently or for a specific amount of time
?ban [user] [limit] [reason] ?ban @KarlXYZ#0001 1h NSFW Content Bans KarlXYZ permanently with reason NSFW Content

``unban`` Unbans the chosen user ?unban [user] [reason] ?unban @KarlXYZ#0001 Ban appeal successful Unbans KarlXYZ with reason Ban appeal successful

``softban`` Kicks the chosen user and deletes 24 hrs of past messages ?softban [user] [reason] ?softban @KarlXYZ#0001 Spamming #general Kicks KarlXYZ and deletes any messages sent 24 hours prior with reason Spamming #general

``kick`` Kicks the chosen user ?kick [user] [reason] ?kick @KarlXYZ#0001 Spamming #off-topic Kicks KarlXYZ with reason Spamming #off-topic

``mute`` Mutes the chosen user either permanently or for a specified amount of time ?mute [user] [minutes] [reason] ?mute @KarlXYZ#0001 1h Spam Mutes KarlXYZ for 1 hour with reason Spam

``unmute`` Unmutes the chosen user ?unmute [user] [reason] ?unmute @KarlXYZ#0001 Unmutes KarlXYZ

__Department Discords__
Servers that can be found in the #help-and-links channel are allocated moderators via their own respective department hierarchy. These servers should not contain channels that allow the unrestricted public/citizens to chat/speak in.

Those found in violation of Discord rules in these department Discords should be dealt with by their superiors. Any concerns regarding decisions should be DM’d to dear.#0008.

__Common Issues__

``Invalid Discord invite``
Some users may report that an invite for a specific server is invalid or not working for them. You should first of all check yourself if the invite they are trying works for you.

If the invite doesn’t redirect you to the server it’s registered to, it is invalid and you should contact an administrator to issue a new one.

If the invite does redirect you to the respective server, then the user is either banned from the server, has hit the maximum number numbers of Discord servers they can be a member of (100), or they are banned on another Discord account they’re not telling you about (Discord bans by IP address too).

__Spoilers__
With Discord’s release of spoilers (made by surrounding content with the vertical bar ||spoiler here||), users are finding creative ways to bypass moderation. It’s important to recognise that spoilers do not negate the moderation effects of their contents. Implied content should also be moderated as if it is clearly stated, e.g. you're such a n||ice guy|| is read by other users as a certain other derogatory term and should be moderated as such.

__Rules in Direct Messages__
Some people may report that a user is sending them direct messages, via a letiVERSITY Discord server they are a member of, that are violating the Disord rules. In some circumstances, it may be valid for the offending user to have moderation action against them but it is important to identify the context of the situation before deciding on any action.

Illegal activity should be permanently banned regardless of its location, administrators should be notified if action is undertaken like this or you are suspicious over the legality of a topic.

__Different Topic Channels__
The State of letiVERSITY server has more than one public channel, #general, #off-topic, #leti and #justice. It’s important that the channel topic of each channel be respected at all times. You should consider letting user’s know where their content should go before muting and progressively issuing harsher consequences.

__Screenshots__
Screenshots of Discord and Roblox are frequently shared in often to support someone’s claim of a rule violation against another user. It’s important to always take into account the ease of forgery, especially with Discord screenshots. If it’s possible to, try verifying the validity of images yourself if the claim is in a public channel e.g. Checking #discord-logs for a deleted message.

__**LETIVERISTY GAME**__
The letiVERSITY game is to be bound by the rules found in the #game-rules channel on the State of letiVERSITY Discord. Moderators are chosen by the development team and are usually also moderators of the State of letiVERSITY Discord.

``Cmdr``
* Cmdr is an open-source command line interface with the letiVERSITY moderation system. All in-game commands are executed using this interface for super convienience.

* The Cmdr interface is opening by pressing semi-colon ;. Commands are entered and auto-completed as you type them. Pressing enter will execute the command. Pressing the up and down arrow keys will also navigate through your command history.

* You can run the help command to list all commands available to use. Note that some of these commands are reserved for administrators.

* You can also substitute a player’s username for their id by prepending their UserId with the # symbol (i.e., KarlXYZ and #9822618 refer to the same player). me and all may also be substituted for players in a command (useful for full server dm commands and resetting watch back to yourself).

__Remote Commands__
Commands may also be executed via the State of letiVERSITY Discord server through the use of the allahBOT Discord bot. The following commands are available and function identically to their Cmdr counterparts as if executed in-game on your own account:

;gban [username] [reason]
;gtban [username] [reason]
;gunban [username] [reason]
;gkick [username] [reason]

The commands are all executed on the server the targeted player resides on as a priority, before being executed on a random server if sufficient time has passed looking for the target. Commands should take 10 seconds maximum if a player is already in-game. Otherwise, they make take up to 2 minutes.

__Get Server__
There’s a final command available called ;gserver [username]. This command retrieves information about a player’s server and its server members. You can use this to join a server if you’re having trouble joining a server off of the original target player (their follow settings may be restricted).

This command provides you with a URL like this, https://www.roblox.com/games/5697456957/letiVERSITY. You can use a user script such as one Karl made to allow you to join servers directly off of these custom URLs. DM Dear if you have any questions/issues with configuring this.

__Suggested Actions__
1. Abide by the New Life Rule
Players who kill themselves during a pursuit are still subject to the crimes they committed and should be treated as such (in line with rule 3). If targets are killed by another player then their crimes shall be forgotten and pursuits shall be called off.

Officers, who to the best of their knowledge were aware of a “valid” death yet continued to pursue, should be treated by moderation with a temporary ban.

2. Do not exploit, use lag switch, or glitch
Common exploits are detected automatically by the game and other more complicated ones are not. Anything exploit related (e.g., No-clipping, flying, and teleporting) should be dealt with via permanent bans. Lag switching, glitching vehicle and glitching through walls should be punished with temporary bans.

3. Do not reset or disconnect while in action
Disconnecting while in handcuffs may also be referred to as Leaving to avoid arrest. If a user leaves while recently being under the custody of an officer, they will be presented with the option to arrest them post-leaving. This post-leaving option should be preferred to moderation action. Users who leave before such an option is available (e.g., before being placed into handcuffs) should be temporarily banned.

4. Do not spawnkill
Spawnkilling is moderated when a player kills another player within a minute of them spawning. This should only be of concern, however, when the targeted player(s) are being prevented from moving away from the area. Temporary bans should be used in this situation.

5. Using alts to cheat moderation
This rule states what it is. Due to the disposable nature of alternate accounts, it’s recommended that users are permanently banned on the alternate account. Be very careful on identifying firm links between accounts before enacting any action.

Use the ;rolypoly allahBOT command to identify alternate accounts through common RoVer-verified accounts to Discord accounts. allahBOT finds linkages through two or more Roblox accounts sharing a common Discord account.
Usage:

;rolypoly [roblox username] Find all linked Roblox accounts using a Roblox account as a base to search from.
;rolypoly [discord id] y Find all linked Roblox accounts using a Discord account as a base to search from.
Output:
After running the command, allahBOT will reply with a list of linked accounts in the following format seen below. Discord accounts seen below a Roblox username are Discord accounts that have been used to verify as that above Roblox account.

- ROBLOX_NAME1:ROBLOX_ID1
- DISCORD_ID1
- DISCORD_ID2

- ROBLOX_NAME2:ROBLOX_ID2
- DISCORD_ID2
6. Abusing the game mechanics
With alternate accounts, it’s possible for two accounts under one user’s ownership to be granted citizenship by the bot or by ICF. Therefore, it’s not always appropriate to ban on-sight when a user may not be aware of the fact. Priority should be on removing the offending account’s citizenship.

In the case of mass-dispensing, this rule should be considered in conjunction with the records available in#dispenser-logs to those who have access to it. If you’re in-game or have someone available in-game witnessing the dispensing take place. Take note of names of the names of any player’s interacting with the offender, especially if the players seem like new/alt accounts. Accounts that appear to be used only for the purpose of mass-dispensing should be permanently banned as well as the account itself that is mass-dispensing.

Discussion and action involving the selling and trading of accounts and items for cash, Robux or any other currency is permanently bannable.

7. Playing in a fair and responsible manner
Barriers and other ploppables available to law enforcement should be used in a realistic manner that others expect them to be used in. They are not for boxing vehicles in and ending pursuits. They should also not be used for blocking pedestrian entranceways. Offenders of this rule should be temporarily banned. Due to ploppables being another in-game item, also remember that this rule may not necessarily be limited to those who can spawn the item themselves.

8. Abide by the Roblox Community Rules
Any moderation action of this sort should be treated more passively. Users affected by any breaches of the community rules should be recommended to use the Roblox report feature. If a moderator happens to find any breaches of this in-game, a kick should be used first as a warning preceded by a temporary ban if the user continues. Obviously this depends on the severity.

__Commands__


__Common Issues__
letiVERSITY is far from perfect and contains many bugs that are always yet to be resolved. Here are some known issues that may influence your moderator decisions.

``Vehicle clipping``
You may find that some users are able to have their character walk through vehicles with no collisions, it’s important to make the distinction between users affected by this bug and genuine exploiters. Users affected by this bug will only be able to clip through vehicles, whereas, exploiters will clip through any surface. Those affected by this glitch should be kicked from the game as a maximum.

``Money farming``
Users often try to avoid the Roblox idle detection by moving their character every few minutes/seconds to stay in-game and continue to accumulate more money into their accounts. This is a consequence of the current design of the game and should be lessened in the future through game updates. Users should not be banned under any circumstances and should merely be kicked if the server also happens to be full.

``Alternate Accounts``
If there is sufficient evidence to link an account playing New Haven County to another under the same owner, it is suitable for the alternate account to be permanently banned if the main account is also currently banned.

``Search Warrants``
Due to lack of a reasonable, fair, and technically-achievable game mechanic to solve the issue, search warrants are to be dealt with by moderation in the case where a player is not willing to comply with a search warrant issued to them. In the case of this, players should be banned with a temporary ban (issued under rule 7) at most. With the search warrant to be executed as soon as their ban is over. Do not permanently ban.

Temporary bans may be repeated if the player still refuses to comply after already serving a similar ban. The punishments stack up anyway.

Search warrants should also be executed with minimum disruption to other players to the game (i.e., car dealerships should not be blocked off using ploppables). Law enforcement officers are not exempt from the rules during this process.

``Full servers``
If a server is full and an event has been organised by a State of letiVERSITY department (including legislature sessions), it may be tempting to kick Tourists to make room for attendees currently queuing. This is highly discouraged as it results in a bad experience for users, especially new ones in the case of Tourists. It also often requires more than one kick for every user intending to join.

It is recommended that organisers establish the event in the smallest server possible and only when essential attendees are all ready.

**Procedure**

When performing moderation action, it’s important to ensure you remain clear and professional in what your intended actions are.

If moderating on leiVERSITY, you should also be careful in how you phrase moderation reasons as such reasons are filtered using the Roblox filter and may become unreadable to a user who has had moderation action. Also be aware that these reasons are broadcast to the game’s server of players when a user is kicked or banned.

``Correct Usage``

- [ x ] tban Karl LTAA

tban Karl Leaving to avoid arrest![]

- [ x ] tban Karl ToS Violation

tban Karl Violating Roblox rules

* Ensure that you do not use abbreviations during moderation, users may be new to the community and may not be aware of these shortened forms.

- [ x ] tban Karl Violating Roblox rules, using the n word

tban Karl Violating Roblox rules, derogatory language

[ x ] ?mute @KarlXYZ#0001 1h Stop

?mute @KarlXYZ#0001 1h Stop spamming the same message

* You have to find the balance between being too vague and too specific in your moderation reasoning. In the first example, stating what word triggered moderation action may appear too explicit in the context of Roblox, so it may be more appropriate to group it into derogatory language which can appear fine on Roblox.

``?mute @KarlXYZ#0001 Spamming the same message``

``?mute @KarlXYZ#0001 1h Spamming the same message``

Always include a time duration when muting a user, else another moderator may have to spend time seeking context before un-muting.

ban Karl Excessive leaving to avoid arrest

tban Karl Leaving to avoid arrest

**Moderation Evidence**

On the State of letiVERSITY Discord, the channel, #moderation-evidence, is available for this purpose for both game and Discord action. Pasting evidence of wrongdoings into this channel is not mandatory but it certainly helps other moderators when investigating appeals. Evidence should be posted in the format USERNAME / REASON / (LINK TO) EVIDENCE ASAP after moderation action has taken place.

Moderation evidence is especially not mandatory on accounts that appear “new” and “alty” (look at citizenship, clothing, join date, badges, number of followers, etc.) as it’s often obvious that the account was a “throwaway” used just for rule violation.

**Appeals**
Unless a moderator immediately recognises their own mistake, all moderation action should be appealed using the appeals form before repealing a moderation decision. All users should be directed to this form upon requesting an appeal providing they have not already appealed.

Appeals on bans made by cityWARE should be accepted only if they are the user’s first exploiting-related ban and they own up and appear remorseful. cityWARE bans are extremely simple in how they operate, there is no way someone would receive a ban unless they were tampering with the game.

Appeals should be responded to within 48 hours of their submission. It is not necessary to contact individuals following an appeal decision being reached as appeal decisions are reflected in #appeal-logs. You may discuss or question a user directly regarding their appeal if you wish or require additional information to aid the appeal process.

If you performed the moderation being appealed, make sure you get another moderator to give their views before coming to an appeal decision.

__Appeal/Rule Report Completion Process__
* Enter your Roblox username in the Moderator username column of the submission.
* Enter the reasoning behind your decision in the Notes column.
* In the case of appeals, entering spam somewhere in the Notes column will result in the appeal not being sent to the Discord #appeal-logs channel. This is useful for spam/fake appeals with profanity in their username.

Enter your decision Accepted or Declined in the Result column of the submission.

Pat yourself on the back, congratulations!

Perform the action if you Accepted the submission (e.g., unban appealer, ban rule violator). Do this as soon as possible.

Questions or Concerns?

This document is intended to evolve over time, DM ``dear.#0008`` on Discord with any queries relating to this document, its usage, and if you weren’t able to be helped. DM the same account if you also are having issues with an existing moderator’s conduct.