Guide to Standard Procedure

Vessel Procedures

All Stellar Corporate Conglomerate vessels share a set of standard procedures, that are to be followed. These guide the different departments on board the Vessel, outline certain points and clear up some issues that may arise.

=General and Command=

Captain Authority
The vessel's assigned Captain has full authority over the operation of the vessel and the attached shuttles. He or she is authorized to shut down departments at their discretion, reassign crew members, issue direct orders to all crew members of the ship, and take actions within reason that may violate regulations in non-standard situations.

The Captain is trusted to act in the best interests of the company, crew, and vessel he or she is assigned to. Any complaints or concerns over the Captain's decisions should be addressed after their orders have been carried out, and after the situation that prompted those orders has been resolved.

Command Staff
During standard operation, all Departmental Heads of Staff are equal, under the command of the Captain present onboard the vessel. Should a department find itself lacking a Head of Staff, the Captain is able to either assume direct supervision of the department or otherwise appoint a senior crew member to fill the missing role.

During non-standard operation, a specific Departmental Head of Staff may be elevated above others, should the crisis situation fall under the responsibility of their department. At that point, other departments should act in a supporting role.

Acting Captain
Should, during standard operation, the Command Staff be missing a Captain, then it is preferred that all members of the Command Staff present stay on equal terms and act as a singular commanding entity, thus negating the need to promote a specific person to the position of Acting Captain. Under such operations, the Command Staff as a whole carries the authority of the Captain, and can, together, conduct actions that would otherwise require the Captain's approval. In order for the Command Staff to make a Captain level decision, a unanimous vote in support will be required with at least two (2) able command staff. A single vote in the negative is all that is needed to veto a Captain level decision posed to the Command Staff, however, any Head of Staff may abstain from a vote if they so desire without affecting the outcome. Any votes taken against another Head of Staff will see the implicated party automatically abstained from voting. Additionally, Command Personnel who have been formally detained under orders of the Head of Security will be unable to vote on any Command level decisions until they have have been released and allowed reassume their previous position.

Should the Command Staff decide that they would prefer an Acting Captain present, then they are free to select one from among themselves. There exists no preference towards anyone Department Head of Staff to attain the role before the others. Unlike a typical Command decision, the vote to appoint an Acting Captain does not have to be unanimous. Only a majority of votes is required to appoint a Head of Staff to Acting Captain and there is no minimum number of Command staff required for such a vote.

During non-standard operation, it is recommended that the Head of Staff most knowledgeable in the crisis be selected as Acting Captain and empowered to coordinate a solution to the crisis that has arisen.

Departmental Ranking
Unless stated otherwise, all Departmental Staff are equal in rank, with differing responsibilities and assignments. The exceptions are Departmental Assistants/Interns/Apprentices, and standard Assistants.

It is within the capacity of the Departmental Head of Staff to promote and designate senior leaders as he sees fit, within their own department.

External Partners
Approved External Business Partners ("Merchants") with a NanoTrasen merchant pass possess docking authorization from Central Command, and are permitted to dock and conduct business with the vessel. Merchants are expected to comply with all vessel regulations and rules set by Command Staff while aboard the ship. A merchant has direct authority over their own vessel, and may choose to provide or deny their services as they see fit. Merchants are authorized to carry a concealed weapon for purposes of personal defense while aboard the vessel, unless explicitly prohibited by Command Staff. Employees who purchase items from a merchant take full responsibility for the possession and legality of these purchases. The Internal Security Department is neither responsible for nor authorized to confiscate wares aboard a merchant's vessel, and may not charge or detain a merchant for the possession of wares that remain aboard that vessel. The Internal Security Department may not enforce regulations aboard a docked merchant vessel, except for issues that arise between Stellar Corporate Conglomerate employees, or to neutralize an immediate hostile and violent threat to the vessel.

Visitors
Visitors to the vessel are not contracted to work or otherwise assume the role of any of the employed crew. Even if they work for the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate, promotion of visitors to vessel ranks, except in the most dire of circumstances, will be regarded as neglect of duty and/or exceeding official powers. During these circumstances, volunteers will not be compensated in any fashion by the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate and will not be insured against any injuries they sustain. Without exception, visitors are not permitted to be promoted to command ranks.

Press
Visiting and subcontracting ("freelance") journalists are not to be censored via a newschannel D-Notice, unless the vessel's Captain (or Heads of Staff in an unanimous decision) determine that the content they publish directly endangers the safety of Stellar Corporate Conglomerate employees. Command Staff choosing to apply a D-Notice in this manner are expected to immediately contact Central Command to report that it has been applied, and to await confirmation by Central Command that the application of such a notice is valid. The creator of the channel is also to be made aware of both the notice and the reasoning for its implementation.

Journalists directly employed by the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate voluntarily waive these protections, as per the terms of their employment contract.

Incident Management
During emergency incidents it is expected for departments to assist in the safe resolution of said incident and the recovery of standard operations. When it becomes clear that an significant incident is arising that could effect standard operations of the vessel or cause significant damange to crew or property, it is expected that (when possible) all on board personnel are provided with the following infomation:
 * A brief description of the current incident.
 * What steps have been taken so far to combat this incident.
 * Suggested action for the crew to take.
 * (If applicable) A brief description of the reasoning behind a change in alert level.

Exceptions to this include where the above information would compromise vessel security or safety. If this is the case it is expected that as much information as is safe to do so is dispensed for the crew.

Representatives and Consular Officers
Command staff are expected to engage representatives through diplomacy and to consent to reasonable requests. The representative is not part of the vessel chain of command. The representative is granted special status in relation to corporate regulations:
 * The representative does not serve brig time for low level infractions, the fine alternative can be used in those cases.
 * The representative can be serve brig time for medium and high level infractions, with command staff being able to contact Central Command requesting the revocation of the representative's privileges.
 * The representative's office offers immunity to the representative. Security may not enter to conduct arrests under normal circumstances. Entering or refusing to exit the office is considered trespassing.
 * The office's immunity may be revoked by the captain or a captain level decision.
 * Security is only able to conduct an arrest inside the representative's if the office's immunity was revoked or if there is clear evidence that a medium or high level infraction is happening inside the office.

Cosmetic Alterations
Cosmetic remodeling of a department may be performed by any staff with written and signed consent of the department in question. Cosmetic alteration to general areas, such as hallways, arrivals, and departures, require consent from the Chief Engineer, The Captain, or (in the absence of both) Command as a whole.

Uniforms
Personnel should be reminded that regulation requires uniform jumpsuits to be worn rolled up. Tajaran crew members are excepted from this requirement, but are required to wear a non-revealing undershirt or tank top that does not bare the chest.

Avowal of Responsibility
Heads of Staff who intend to promote Vaurca personnel to positions of elevated responsibility are required to file the NCF-0114 Avowal of Responsibility in addition to standard promotion paperwork. Heads of Staff who submit this form agree to be held accountable for the conduct of the promoted crew member, as well as vouch for their suitability to work in an elevated position.

Completed forms are to be sent directly to the Central Command Internal Affairs Bureau, where they will be reviewed.

=Research and Development=

Scientific Experimentation
Qualified researchers in a given field of science are authorized to conduct experiments in any way they deem appropriate. However, unless authorization for their release is granted by command staff or an emergency situation requires it, the works and derivatives of the research department are to remain within their respective labs and testing areas.

Slimes Experiments & Non-sapient Xenological Lifeforms
Slimes, non-sapient xenoforms, and the subjects of transformative xenobiological experiments are not classified as crew, members of humanity or affiliated alien races, but as test subjects and property of NanoTrasen. Performing transformative xenobiological experiments on a co-worker is considered homicide, and is punishable by corporate regulations and by law.

=Supply=

Warehouse Contents
The operations department is expected to store and distribute warehouse supplies to the vessel's departments as deemed appropriate. The stock of the vessels warehouse is not to be regarded as contraband if it remains in the warehouse, or is being transported to an appropriate destination.

=Engineering=

Vessel Modifications
All non-structural forms of modification, optimization, or upgrades to vessel equipment are permitted so long as the modifying engineer is qualified and has obtained written permission of all staff resident to the department in question. Large-scale structural modifications or additions require written and stamped consent from either the Chief Engineer, the Captain, or (in the absence of both) a delegated representative of Command staff.

=Security=

Warden Authority
The Warden's authority is limited to the brig and detainees, and does not extend to the Internal Security department or its personnel. Additionally, the Warden is not a de facto interim Head of Security in the absence of a Head of Security, unless promoted to that position by command staff.

With sufficient cause, the Warden is authorized to independently issue arrest and search warrants. This authority is subject to command staff review.

Processing Time
Personnel detained by Internal Security are expected to be processed in a timely manner. Because a detainee's brig sentence begins after processing is completed, excessive processing times may result in the Warden or handling Security Officers being liable for illegal detention.

Uniform Regulation
Uniformed security employees are to wear only standard equipment provided by by their employer. 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. Investigative personnel are permitted to sport business wear of their choice.

Personnel failing to meet these requirements are in violation of failing to execute an order, and are to be processed for such.

Responding
Upon arriving at the scene, the first responder is expected to gauge the exact nature at the scene.

If the scene is clear: If the scene is not clear:
 * Radio in the situation at the scene.
 * Ensure the safety of any crew in the immediate vicinity.
 * Identify witnesses.
 * Secure the scene in the event of occurrences (tape off area/disallow witness to leave).
 * Proceed to 'Collecting Evidence'
 * Identify nature of threat.
 * If threat is able to be handled by officers on scene: Proceed with mediation/detainment.
 * If threat is unable to be handled by officers on scene: Request immediate assistance. Upon requesting assistance, await said assistance before proceeding. Ensure your safety before ensuring the safety of others on scene.

Collecting Evidence

 * Crime scenes must be sealed off for evidence to be valid. Ensure non-security personnel do not enter the scene. Avoid cordoning off high-traffic areas unless a serious crime (such as murder or mutiny) has been committed. Permission from the relevant head of staff, head of security, or captain should be gained to cordon off high-traffic areas of specific departments.
 * If possible, cordoned-off areas should still allow access around it, via maintenance tunnels, less area taped off, or other methods. *Autopsies should be performed within the morgue.
 * Disrupt standard vessel operation as little as possible around the crime scene.
 * Investigative staff should be requested. Officers on scene are expected to ensure scene security until/during the arrival of/processing of the scene by investigative staff. If no investigative staff is available, officers are expected to secure evidence on scene.
 * Witness statements should be taken (either via recorder or on paper) and physical evidence should be secured.

Handling Evidence

 * Ensure gloves are worn to prevent contamination of evidence.
 * Items that can be, must be held in evidence bags for transportation.
 * Crime scene must be preserved until all evidence is collected.
 * After evidence is collected, cadavers may be removed to the morgue and area may be cleaned up.

Arrest
Proceed as follows during the event of detainment: For witnessed major/violent crime:
 * Announce intention to arrest and charges vocally.
 * Request the suspect surrender peaceably
 * If suspect resists, attempt to handcuff. Verbal disagreement or swearing is not resisting. Verbal threats of violence, damage, or death are considered resisting arrest.
 * If suspects fight back or run, apply needed force to cease flight and detain suspect. A charge of resisting arrest should be applied in this case.
 * Remove suspect to brig for processing.
 * Immediately attempt detainment of suspect, with charges read out when suspect is secured.
 * Remove suspect to brig for processing.

Processing

 * Ensure Warden is aware of incoming prisoner.
 * Bring prisoner to processing/booking room. Leave secured if violent/repeat offender.
 * Check prisoner’s pockets (coat/jumpsuit), pack, and any containers within pack.
 * Confiscate any contraband/evidence found. Note: Evidence must have pertinence to the case. If there is no direct correlation, evidence should be returned to person or respective department.
 * Inform the prisoners superior of the arrest.
 * Proceed to ‘Jailing’.

Questioning

 * Questioning should be done in the brig. Booking/Processing is to be used for ‘informal’ interviews. Interrogation should be used in the case of more in depth investigations.
 * The Investigative team should get preference in questioning a suspect unless there's a good reason. A standard processing interview for an open and shut case is probably not worth their time, but it's always good to ask.
 * If the person is not a suspect, do not handle them as an offender (handcuffing, stunning, or flashing them is not okay).
 * Ensure usage of recorder during interrogations; ensure the suspect/prisoner/witness is aware they are being recorded. Ensure the suspect/prisoner/witness states their or has their name/occupation stated at the beginning of an interrogation.
 * If person remains uncooperative, make note of this. Seek advice from your Head of Security.

Jailing

 * Move prisoner to appropriate cell.
 * Place personal items the prisoner was deemed able to keep upon release in cell locker.
 * Set cell timer to appropriate time and secure cell.
 * Remove handcuffs from prisoner’s person within secure cell if able to do so without severe risk to own wellbeing.
 * Ensure records are properly updated to reflect prisoner’s crimes/status.

=Medical=

Do not Borgify
Personnel with a Do Not Borgify order are NOT to be borgified. Failure to heed these orders is considered malpractice by law, and will be treated as such.

Paramedic Helmet
Paramedics are to use their helmet on the same basis as security: on code blue and above, and in dangerous situations.

=AI=

AI Monitoring
The AI only has to monitor the following secure areas:
 * Armory
 * SAT (The big nuke room)
 * Telecommunications
 * The Vault
 * Command areas (Bridge, head of staff offices, etc.)
 * Secure Storage
 * Research Storage
 * Research Server Room
 * Engine Room (Supermatter specifically, Tesla if it is running)
 * AI Core and AI Upload

Access to the AI
In order to access the AI upload or the AI core a captain level decision is required. All command staff must be informed of the decision.

A machinist may accompany the head/s of staff if their technical skills are required.