View source for Standard Operating Procedure: Command

== '''Command Policy''' ==
As command staff, generally your job is to oversee the people working under you and ensure they are following the law and Standard Operating Procedure. They maintain authority over all other staff regarding their department and workplace, even the Captain. 

Command Staff are role models and are generally promoted for a reason, and are mainly expected to direct staff and provide guidance, as well as ensure corporate regulations are adhered to. They should defer to their underlings in cases where it is not necessary for them to act, even if it may slow down the speed of work.

Command Staff are also generally expected to take part in communications with the rest of the station, and direct projects as needed for the general well-being of the crew.

In an ideal circumstance, Heads of Staff would need to do no work at all, however this is far from an ideal station. However, they should still know the majority of the jobs in the department they are serving. If the RD knows nothing about techwebs, then there's certainly cause for concern.

Generally, use common sense: You are a MANAGER, not a worker, and should only step in when your help is needed, and not to replace someone who's making a reasonable effort to do their job.

<u>'''Captain'''</u>

The captain has absolute authority over the station, but is generally expected to defer responsibility in most cases. The captain should not be consulted for things, unless in extreme cases, or when a Head of Staff is not present. Captains are still beholden to Space Law, and can be arrested for failing to follow it. In this case, the role falls to the next in line.

Captains are also expected to look good and entertain foreign dignitaries, where reasonable. If a captain fails to properly maintain appearances in the presence of CENTCOM or any other high forces, they may be demoted.

Other than that, the NAD should be secured at the closest available opportunity. The succession order goes like this:

Captain -> Head of Personnel -> Research Director -> CMO -> Chief Engineer -> Quartermaster -> Nanotrasen Consultant -> Head of Security -> Blueshield

This is the highest role in the entire station. You are a big target for any antagonists, you are expected to take responsibility for the command team's actions, and coordinate the entire station. Not only are you held to a higher standard, should you fail to meet it, the consequences can be dire. If you act like an Assistant or Security Officer as captain, expect to be harshly warned.

With that said, you also have the most access and authority in turn. A good captain can and will turn a terrible situation into a much more manageable one. If you're already a great player, Captain is likely the role for you.

<u>'''Head of Personnel'''</u>

As the Head of Personnel, you are responsible for the station's paychecks and ensuring everyone is adequately paid for the work they do. Additionally, your console is allowed to give anyone who requests it limited access.

You're the first in line to become Captain, and in cases where the captain is too busy to handle foreign dignitaries or secure the NAD, the responsibility may fall to you. Consider yourself the Captain's second in command in most cases, they may request you handle things in their stead, particularly minor issues they can't be bothered with.

Generally, use common sense: Check in with the relevant head of staff or department and give reasonable time to respond before granting anyone access. If there's no strong reason to refuse the access requested, then you should probably give it. 

Look good, warn people before you leave your post, and don't grant yourself All Access.

'''<u>Nanotrasen Consultant:</u>'''

Your authority lies entirely within your words. Your job is crew relations, mediating disputes, enforcing SoP, helping appoint acting heads of staff, a liaison in cases of communicating with and from the stance of CENTCOM, and as a secondary judge in case the captain is not available during a trial. Your job is not to replace the lawyer, but to serve as a mediator for the crew. When possible, you should defer to the Psychologist and Lawyer for important tasks. The best Nanotrasen Consultants ensure that the station is operating at peak efficiency within legal guidelines.

'''<u>Blueshield</u>'''

Your job is, and is ONLY, to protect <u>ALL</u> members of Command, with lethal force if necessary, in the order of priority of the Chain of Command. This includes things like beating up an Assistant for throwing a toolbox at the CMO, or breaking into departments if a Command member is actively being harmed inside. Your top priority is their lives, if a member of Command loses their gear, that is not your concern.

You are encouraged to give a verbal warning if possible before attacking, and you shouldn't go straight for your gun-- much like with Security, you shouldn't play this job just to kill people.

However, Blueshields are decidedly <u>not security</u>, and should not enforce Space Law or attempt to protect anything other than heads of staff. If a threat runs off after attacking members of Command, you should not pursue-- you should stay with command to defend them. That said, if a member of Command is being suicidal or otherwise making a choice that would harm them, and thus their ability to do their job, you are well within your rights to stop them from doing so. Use your best judgement. 

* The Head of Security is an exception to this, they should not be hindered in doing their job.