# Moderation Manual
A guide for moderators.

## 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 administrators 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 an admin.
* 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 admins.

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

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

Other related Discords are to be moderated by the very departments they represent e.g. 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 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.

:::info
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.

#### 11. Follow Discord’s Terms of Service ####
Just to make sure they follow the [Discord Terms of Service](https://discordapp.com/terms).

#### 12. Blackmail, extortion, and others of the kind are forbidden ####
Don't do this.

#### 13. Loop Holes ####
No using loop holes.

## Commands

| Command | Description | Usage | Example |
| -------- | -------- | -------- | -------- |
| ban | Bans the chosen user either permanently or for a specific amount of time | `?ban [user] [limit] [reason]` | `?ban @holidayy#2624 1h NSFW Content` Bans Switchback permanently with reason `NSFW Content` |
| unban | Unbans the chosen user | `?unban [user] [reason]` | `?unban @holidayy#2624 Ban appeal successful` Unbans Switchback with reason `Ban appeal successful` |
| softban | Kicks the chosen user and deletes 24 hrs of past messages | `?softban [user] [reason]` | `?softban @holidayy#2624 Spamming #general` Kicks Switchback and deletes any messages sent 24 hours prior with reason `Spamming #general` |
| kick | Kicks the chosen user | `?kick [user] [reason]` | `?kick @holidayy#2624 Spamming #off-topic` Kicks Switchback with reason `Spamming #off-topic` |
| mute | Mutes the chosen user either permanently or for a specified amount of time | `?mute [user] [minutes] [reason]` | `?mute @holidayy#2624 1h Spam` Mutes Switchback for 1 hour with reason `Spam` |
| unmute | Unmutes the chosen user | `?unmute [user] [reason]` | `?unmute @holidayy#2624` Unmutes Switchback |

### 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 `holidayy#2624`.

### 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.

:::danger
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.
:::

:::success
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 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 discord server has more than one public channel, `#general`, `#clips`. 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.

## CMDR Usage
The game is to be bound by the rules found in the `#game-rules` channel on the Discord. Moderators are chosen by the admins and are usually also moderators of the Discord.

### Cmdr
[Cmdr](https://github.com/evaera/Cmdr) is an open-source command line interface with the 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.

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

:::info
You can also substitute a player’s username for their id by prepending their UserId with the `#` symbol (i.e., `Switchback` and `#18760` 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 (NOT FUNCTIONAL)

Commands may also be executed via the Main Discord server through the use of the mayFLOW 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).

:::success
This command provides you with a URL like this, https://www.roblox.com/games/######
:::

### Suggested Actions

#### 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.

#### 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.

#### Do not spawn kill, armory kill, and armory camp
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.

Players who are found camping the armory to gain advantages or cuffing, tasing or shooting/killing inside of the armory will result in being kicked, if it’s a repeated offense it should be a temporary ban.

#### 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.

#### Abusing the game mechanics
Civilians / Law Enforcement if they’re found placing barriers or cones or any sort of object to block an entrance way or a vehicle should be temporarily banned under this rule.

#### 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

| Commands | Description | Usage | Example |
| -------- | -------- | -------- | -------- |
| checkban | Gives information about a user’s active ban if they have one | `checkban [user]` | `checkban Switchback` Returns information about Switchback’s active ban if they have one |
| ban | Bans the chosen user permanently | `ban [user] [reason] ` | `ban Switchback Exploiting` Bans Switchback permanently with reason `Exploiting`|
| unban | Unbans the chosen user | `unban [user] [reason] ` |`unban Switchback Appeal accepted` Unbans the user with Roblox user Switchback with reason `Appeal accepted`|
| tban | Bans the chosen user by a predetermined amount according to their moderation history | `tban [user] [reason] ` |`tban Switchback Leaving to avoid arrest` Bans Switchback for a predetermined amount of time with reason `Leaving to avoid arrest`|
| kick | Kicks the chosen user | `kick [user] [reason] ` |`kick Switchback New life rule violation` Kicks Switchback with reason `New life rule violation`|
| watch | Watches the chosen user | `watch [user] ` |`watch Switchback` Watches Switchback|
| notice | Displays a permanent message atop every user’s screen | `notice [message] ` |`notice Game shutting down soon` Displays a message atop each user’s screen with message `Game shutting down soon`. Calling `notice` without a message will result in the notice being removed.|
| dm | Sends a notification to a chosen user in the game | `dm [user] [message] ` |`dm awe7omeness hey daddy <3` Sends a notification to awe7omeness with text `hey daddy <3`|

### Common Issues
The game 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 the game 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**.

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

If moderating, 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
> [color=#ff0000] tban Switchback LTAA

> [color=#008000] tban Switchback Leaving to avoid arrest

> [color=#ff0000] tban Switchback ToS Violation

> [color=#008000] tban Switchback 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.

---

> [color=#ff0000] tban Switchback Violating Roblox rules, using the n word

> [color=#008000] tban Switchback Violating Roblox rules, derogatory language

> [color=#ff0000] ?mute @holidayy#2624 1h Stop

> [color=#008000] ?mute @holidayy#2624 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.

---

> [color=#ff0000] ban Switchback Excessive leaving to avoid arrest

> [color=#008000] tban Switchback Leaving to avoid arrest

Bans which are ordinarily temporary shouldn’t become permanent just because a moderator wasn’t there in the first instance of a rule violation.

### Moderation Evidence
On the Discord, the channel, `#mods-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 moderation. Evidence should be posted in the format `USERNAME / REASON / (LINK TO) EVIDENCE` ASAP after moderation action has taken place.

## Useful Links
* Grab a user’s Roblox profile directly from their username: https://www.roblox.com/users/profile?username=Switcback

## Questions or Concerns?
This document is intended to evolve over time, DM `holidayy.` 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.

Credits:
Original Authors:
> [name=]