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+--- Thread: MRP - Recommendations for Security Conduct (/showthread.php?tid=24447)
MRP - Recommendations for Security Conduct - BioFrequency - 08-07-2025
Hello,
I have been playing SS13 Goon Station for about over a year. With having played Security on and off within that time period - I'm kinda on a 'security kick' and intend to play the department at a increased frequency for the near future.
My hope is that we would share suggestions on how Security an its various members should play the job. I understand this isn't an exact science and some people might differing options on things.
To elaborate - Is there any kind of behavior you want to see from security officers/assistants that you either don't see or don't see often enough?
My example would be
Members of security reporting in once they have spoken to or interviewed a suspect.
As both in and outside of security - I have see frequent interactions where person X becomes suspected of a crime. Its not uncommon for said suspect to be questioned by a member of security - and then another member - and then another member....
As a security officer - I feel silly when I find our mystery man/women - ask where they have been at the time of said crime, and learn that i'm actually the fourth officer to ask them this.
I'm mostly asking these question as - with me playing security more often - any feedback here might help me improve my gameplay or correct any undesirable behaviors i'm not aware of or need to work on.
RE: MRP - Recommendations for Security Conduct - Zhail - 08-07-2025
Hi, I see a lot of players as a Head of Security and each has their own style of security roles. Here's my view:
1. Talk And Explain Things To The Crew
This isn't something I see super often, but too many security players end up staying in the department all day or, even worse, patrolling the station without saying a word to non-security crew members. Your job is to keep the CREW safe first, then the station. If they don't trust you, you can't do your job and then I get a bunch of complaints about people running into their departments, arresting a guy, and running out without explaining what's going on and freaking everyone out.
2. Evidence Is Meant To Be Presented
Tons of things are explainable very easily. If you have someone walk up to you and say "Such-And-Such murdered me, please go arrest them", it's pretty simple to go find Such-And-Such and take them in to charge them without having evidence that it actually happened. It always warms my heart when a member of security actually builds a case file and sticks evidence in the evidence box to present to a suspect when they inevitably lie about not doing something, as opposed to putting everything in a contraband locker with everything else and rooting through it whenever something minor is asked about. It's understandable that this may happen when a lot is going on, but when you only have one suspect it's nice to see.
Also, don't arrest someone without hard evidence. Words are not hard evidence.
3. Words Break Bones
As an authority figure, a lot of eyes will be on you. In your uniform, you're representing the rest of your team, and with your words you speak for them. Remain civil and polite to those that have done no wrong, or even to those that haven't done anything major. One bad officer brings the whole bunch down with them, remember that security is the side of justice. If a person trespasses into security to steal your donuts, calmly yet firmly ask them to leave. If a person trespasses into security to set a bomb, then that's probably the sign to get the gun and yell at them.
4. We're Human Beings
Remember, the antagonist you are arresting is a real person, playing a video game. Telling them off for killing a person is one thing, personal attacks on their character and/or berating them is a major no-no. We're all here to have fun, so don't bring a person down for real.
5. No 'I' In 'Team'
As security, newer players will always make mistakes. As you said, this isn't an exact science but everyone is bound to do something wrong eventually. Teach them how to fix it and show them kindness. I've seen some officers yell at a new security assistant for something they genuinely didn't mean to do, which will scare them away and make them resent security. If you see this, report it to a HoS or captain, and in a lot of cases I would recommend reporting it to an administrator as well.
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This isn't an exhaustive list. There are dozens of things to keep in mind when playing security, but these are the major things that I want to see.
RE: MRP - Recommendations for Security Conduct - JORJ949 - 08-07-2025
I agree with literally everything Zhail said but would like to add that I personally think gear you aren't given roundstart should be kept to a moment where you KNOW it will be needed, rather than that you MIGHT need it. Big examples of this to me from security are Gas masks and Insulated gloves, not only do these pre-emptively halt antagonist actions but they also make you look less approachable as you look like someone trying to win rather than trying to create good RP opportunities. A couple examples of good times to use things like this are: An antagonist is consistently running into space to evade security, so you grab a space suit. A rogue AI has begun electrifying doors, so you grab insulated gloves. You plan to use capsaicin grenades to arrest someone or shut down a riot, so you grab a gas mask.
Not only does waiting until you need something create a more interesting story for the antagonist, but you seem more approachable to the crew.
RE: MRP - Recommendations for Security Conduct - laugoose - 08-07-2025
the main thing is always just to not get into the mindset of winning.
the best way to do this is to remember that your CHARACTER wants people to NOT be harmed and to stop the law from being broken, but also wants MAX PRODUCTIVITY.
two people fighting in the bar? arresting both of them is double the anti productivity. tell them both to knock it off and if they do it again brig them. all the time between arresting and brigging is time where, more or less, youre sitting there twiddling your thumbs until you can play the game again. prevent that from happening- arrests aren't always needed, and so long as people stop illegalin' you'll be okay.
basically, leave brigging for when it's truly necessary. almost all non-antag incidents can be completely dissolved with words and a stern enough talking to. it's also fun, because this is a roleplay interaction game and not a +30 points for jailing the guy who threw one (1) punch game
RE: MRP - Recommendations for Security Conduct - Silent Majority - 08-08-2025
Zhail said most of what i had to say really. To give my listicle
Talk first.
Most situations are resolved by discussion. Take reports. Share reports. Ask what happened. Ask them to stop. Theres a time to fight. Theres a time not to. Giving people time to talk creates more rp opportunities, and gives antags a chance to escalate the way they want to.
Weapons are for fights
Your guns and batons and flashes are cool and fun to use. Use them when you can't subdue someone without them. Don't start an encounter with a gun out unless you know they're actively dangerous or are responding to such.
We are here to respond not to prevent
Don't try to catch a tiger by the toe. We're not supposed to be the onrs setting pre emptive traps, they are. Dont "patrol " places every antag heads to. Relax. Rp. Its fun. You can chase thr baddie after they do their bad. If you're alerted yo a bad in progress go ahead and go. And say you are because
Communication is everything
Say you're responding. Let other people respond. Say what you're doing and why. Voice your thoughts. Security is most fun when people are communicating. And when it comes to responding..
Don't Smother
You don't need to respond to every call. You have a team. Let others share in the fun. You can be backup sometimes. Dony silently push and rush to everything. Secball makes everuone have less to do.
Be dumb, but smartly
Don't always know everything. You can know an antag when you see an antag but you don't need to question everyone in toxins. You don't have to chase every yellow c. A husk doesn't instantly mean a ling...suspend disbelief a little and let the baddies have breathing room. You'll have time to baton them. If a situation looks out of hand? Step in. People don't get a free pass but you can also accept a stupid excuse sometimes.
Be chill
Remember we're here to give the antags something to have as opposition. We don't "win" or "lose". Neither do antags. However if you make an experience rotten everyone loses. Yes they use the dame syndiesona everytime. You can still find out who it is even if you know. What if the clown is Hyena this time becauee clowns laugh? What if its a body double or someone framing them.
Do the job
And finally: if sec be sec. Sec offs quitting to go do azone advrntutrs and stuff happens sometimes. Or they turn coms off to go on a date. Or whatever. Try to remember that sec gave you sec tools. Theres always time to do other stuff. Maybe not as the 1 of 4 people on a shift with tools and a job to fight.