# Melrose Moderation Handbook
This handbook has been created to serve as a guide to help moderators make decisions on what action they should take, and how they should take it. You should combine both the advice given in this handbook with your own discretion.

## Moderator Rules
* Be fair when making your decisions, and act without any bias.
* Any issues with other moderators are to be reported to oversight.
* Matters regarding moderation are to be discussed in the private moderation channels allocated to moderators.
* It is expected that all moderators follow both the Roblox game and Discord rules which can be found in the `#rules` channel under the information category. Failure to do this may result in action taken against you.
* Moderation powers should never be abused, or misused at any time. This includes using the `view` command as a Law Enforcement officer to find and pursue suspects.
* Professionalism and maturity should be maintained when dealing with any sort of queries or actions about moderation.

## Discord
The State of Melrose Discord, and all related Discords for departments, must follow the rules which are established in the `#discord-rules` channel in the State of Melrose Discord.

### Common Obstacles
When conducting your duties as a moderator, you will most likely come across various obstacles.

#### Direct Messages
Some members may report that a user is sending them direct messages, via the State of Melrose Discord server, and are violating the Discord Rules. In some circumstances, it may be valid that the user who is breaking the rules have moderation action taken against them, but it is key to identify the context of the situation before you decide any action.

#### Different Channels
The State of Melrose Discord server has more than one channel which is accessible to the public. These include `#general`, `#bot-commands`, `#suggestions` and `#bug-report`. Each of these channels have a specific topic which should be respected at all times. You should consider letting user's know where their content should go before muting them or issuing them harsher consequences.

#### Screenshots
Screenshots of both Discord and Roblox are commonly shared, to support the claim of a rule violation against another user. It's important to take into account that forgery is very easy, and can be manipulated especially for Discord screenshots. If possible, you should try and verify the image yourself if the claim is in a public channel by checking `#discord-logs` for any deleted message.

### Suggested Actions

#### NSFW Content
Posting any images, videos or gifs that include violence, gore, nudity or torture is strictly prohibited. Depending on the severity of the content that was posted, members should first receive a soft ban. If they continue to post NSFW content the user must be given a permanent ban.

#### Respect each and every member
All members should be treated with respect, and never made to feel embarrassed, distressed or annoyed. Harassing, targeting and bullying members falls under this rule. If this is the first time a user has breached this rule, a warning should be given out. If they have a minimum of two warnings they should be given a kick, then if they persist a permanent ban should be given.

#### Respectful Discord avatars/usernames
Do not use any avatars or usernames which may offend members, and break server rules. If a member has an offensive Discord avatar or username, the player should first be given a soft ban followed by a Direct Message to them asking them to change their Avatar/Username. If they rejoin the server with the same Avatar/Username they should be given a permanent ban until they change it.

#### Derogatory terms and inappropriate language
Derogatory terms are in no way acceptable in this community. Take a look at [Ofcom's list of offensive words](https://external-preview.redd.it/_hcSRv7RasGHIdQpWItVa8E_LGGSm9Gr4XFPdS5c97k.png?s=037aa14df4fca93efc3c0a695badb2aba122d8b0) for some examples. Members who are found using derogatory terms should be muted for an hour, if they continue to use derogatory terms, or they initially used severe language (e.g. n-word), they should be given a permanent ban.

#### Sharing private information
Doxing is the release of private information against the person's will. Doxing can range from pictures to addresses and phone numbers. Any violation of this rule shall result in a permanent ban.

#### Spamming
Do not spam in any text channel, voice channel and direct messages. Discord mentions, text and emojis are included. Members should be muted for an hour before being soft banned and then permanently banned if they continue afterwards.

#### Advertising unrelated servers
Advertising other Discord servers or communities is not allowed; which includes direct messaging community members. People can attempt to bypass this rule by spreading invite links through Direct messages. Members should be warned first (using the `@mention` feature) before being soft banned if they continue. Further violations should result in a permanent ban.

#### Using the appropriate language
Common phrases of other languages such as "Nein", "Bonjour", "Si" etc. are exempt from this rule. The rule is mainly around the usage of full sentences which are formed in another language besides English.

#### Common Sense
This rule is just formed around people thinking before they speak.

### Commands

Maybe

## Game
The Hopewell County game is moderated under the `#game-rules` channel found in the State of Melrose Discord.

### Common Issues
The game is far from perfect and may contain some bugs which are yet to be resolved. Below is a list of known issues that may influence your moderation decisions.

#### Money Farming
Users will often try to bypass the Roblox AFK detection by moving their character every few minutes/seconds so they can stay in-game and collect more money on their accounts. Users who money farm should not be banned under any circumstances and should just receive a kick if the server is full.

#### Alternative Accounts
If there is sufficient evidence to link an account to another under the same owner, it is appropriate to permanently ban the alternate account **if the main account is also banned**

#### Full Servers
If a server is full during an event that has been organised by a State of Melrose department (this includes the state assembly, it may be your first instinct to kick Tourists to make room for attendees who are queuing. This is highly discouraged as this can lead to bad experiences for users, especially if they are new in the case of Tourists.
:::info
It is recommended that organisers have the event in the smallest server possible, once all essential attendees are ready.
:::

#### Search Warrants
Search warrants are to be dealt with by moderation if the player is not willing to comply with a search warrant issued to them. Players should be temporarily banned under rule 8. Once their ban is over search warrants are to be executed as soon as possible.

Temporary bans can be repeated if the player still refuses to comply after already serving a similar ban. Search warrants should be executed with minimum disruption to other players (i.e. dealerships should not be blocked off using cones/barriers) as this falls under rule 8.

### Suggested Actions

#### Exploiting, and third-party software
Anything which relates to exploiting (e.g. Flying, teleporting and no-clipping) are to be dealt with by permanent bans. Glitching vehicles and through walls are to be done with temporary bans.

#### Alternative accounts
Anyone who uses alternative accounts to avoid any form of moderation are to be permanently banned. You should be cautious when investigating links between different accounts, before choosing to take action. If you need assistance with identifying alternate accounts seek help from another moderator or oversight.

#### Roblox Community Standards
Members who are affected by any violations of the Roblox community standards should resort to the Roblox report feature. Players who violate this rule in-game should be kicked first as a given warning, proceeded by a temporary ban if the player continues. Moderation outcomes should be decided on by the severity of the violation.

#### New Life Rule
Players who kill themselves, or are killed by other players are still subject to the crimes which they committed. If a law enforcement officer or member of a government agency kills the player then their crimes shall be bypassed and pursuits called off.

#### Game Mechanics
Since alternative accounts are fairly common, one of the player's accounts may be granted citizenship by a member of Admissions. This is why you should never resort to banning the player on sight as they may not be aware of this. You should message a member of admissions to get the alt's citizenship removed.

If a player is found mass-dispensing, you should check the records available in `#dispenser-logs`. If you're currently in-game or have another player witnessing the mass-dispense take place, take note of all the names of any player's who are interacting with the player that is mass-dispensing. Any accounts that seem like new/alt accounts should be taken in regard as a high priority, accounts that appear to be used for the sole purpose of mass-dispensing should be permanently banned, as well as the player who is mass-dispensing.

Anyone who is found discussing or is involved in selling, trading or buying accounts or items for cash, Robux or any other real-life currency should be permanently banned from the game.

#### Avoiding combat
This rule surrounds the concept of leaving or resetting to avoid arrest or combat. When a player leaves the game while being placed into custody by an officer, the officer will have a GUI which will give them the option to arrest the individual. This option should be preferred over moderation action. Players who leave before being placed into handcuffs should be temporarily banned as the officer will not receive the GUI.

Examples of this can be, that the player leaves during a gunfight with officers, or when fleeing from officers in a pursuit.

#### Spawn killing
Spawn killing is when a player kills another player within a minute of them spawning. Spawn killing shouldn't be a concern unless the player(s) are being obstructed from leaving the spawn area. Temporary bans should be used in this situation.

### Procedures and Usage
When performing your duties as a moderator, it is important to stay professional, and clear of what your actions are.

When moderating players on the Hopewell County game, it is important to be careful on how you phrase your reasons as the Roblox filter may block the reason which results in the player not knowing their moderation action reason.

#### Correct Usages
When typing in your reason, it is important to not use abbreviations, as some players may be new to the community and may not be aware of what the shortened words mean.

>tban etawz LTAA [color=#bf2020]

>tban etawz Leaving to Avoid Arrest [color=#379447]

---

>tban etawz Breaching Roblox Rules, using the n-word [color=#bf2020]

>tban etawz Breaching Roblox Rules, derogatory terms [color=#379447]

>?mute Ashjawsj#8285 1h Stop it now [color=#bf2020]

>?mute Ashjawsj#8285 1h Stop spamming images [color=#379447]

When putting in your moderation reasons you must find a balance between being too vague and too specific. The first example will trigger the Roblox chat filter and can block the reasoning as the content can be too explicit for Roblox. This is why you should name it as derogatory terms as this is more appropriate and will not be blocked by Roblox.

---

>ban etawz Execssive moderation history [color=#bf2020]

>tban etawz Leaving to Avoid Arrest [color=#379447]

The game moderation will automatically detect how many times a player has been banned and will automatically permanently ban the player if they reach the maximum amount of moderation history.

---

>?mute Ashjawsj#8285 Stop spamming images [color=#bf2020]

>?mute Ashjawsj#8285 1h Stop spamming images [color=#379447]

When moderating a user, you must always include a time duration otherwise other moderators will have to find context before un-muting the user.

### Appeals
All moderation action should be appealed using the appeal form before repealing any moderation action unless a moderator recognises their own mistake.

Appeals should be responded to within 48 hours of their submissions. You don't need to contact any individuals about their appeal as appeal decisions will be sent to `#appeal-logs`. If you wish or require additional information to aid an appeal process, you can discuss or question a user directly regarding their appeal.
:::warning
If you are processing an appeal where you performed the moderation action, make sure to get another moderator to give their views before having an appeal decision.
:::
Appeals, where users have been banned by the Automated bot, should only be unbanned if it is the user's first exploit related ban, and they own up to their mistakes and show remorse. The Automated bot is straightforward, there is no way someone would receive a ban unless they were tampering with the game.

#### Appeal Process
1. Enter your Roblox username into the `Moderator username` column of the submission.
2. Enter your decisions `Accepted` or `Declined` in the `Result` column of the submission.
3. Enter the reasoning behind your decision in the `Notes` column.
4. Unban the user if you `Accepted` the submission
5. Congratulations, you have done an appeal!

#### Moderation Evidence
On the State of Melrose Discord, the channel, `#moderation-evidence` is used for both game and Discord action. Pasting evidence of wrongdoings is not compulsory but it helps other moderators when investigating appeals. Evidence should be pasted in the format of `USERNAME/REASON/EVIDENCE (LINK)` right after moderation action has taken place.

Moderation Evidence is not compulsory on accounts that appear ["new" and "alty"](https://www.roblox.com/users/1126736497/profile) (look at citizenship, clothing, join date, badges, number of followers etc.) as it is often obvious that the account is a throwaway used to violate the rules.