WTF is the point in Pixel Police?
I have blogged before on my intense lack of understanding as to the point of pixel police. I have quite openly called them all power trippers and been somewhat blunt in describing them as ‘deluded’. So today, I was somewhat curious yesterday when I saw a forum post on XStreetSL by Dani Stratten looking to hire in game police officers and claiming that his force;
“…are a UK run & funded team of Officers who are aiming to set the record that NOT all police dept on SL™ are a waste of time…we are not a bunch of teenage kids on power trips and we are a UK based team.. using our experience from UK events and how we as a country do things!”
Now, I could make this another one sided slanging match, as usual, where I slag people off without giving them any hope of ever responding. Of course that’s fun! However, for some reason I came over all pure of heart and decided to catch up with Dani to find out, basically, wtf is the point in Pixel Police? So imagine my surprise when Dani responded to my note card informing me he now had a new avatar, Timothy McAndrew (who definitely was not a Pixel Policeman) and he would IM me from there. Which he did. To sum it up, Timothy told me that having spent the entire day trying to persuade sim owners to let his new force patrol their sims and only managing to persuade 2, he was giving it up. However, this certainly was not Timothy’s first brush with virtual law enforcement….
Timothy McAndrews: When i first came to SL i bumped into about 4 officers on a sim..
Timothy McAndrews: and I saw them as people with “power.” so I wanted to be part of it.. coming to sl.. i wanted to be in charge hehe..
Timothy McAndrews: I applied with the PD and waited a full day to be tld I had to be 30 days old..
Timothy McAndrews: so i lied and said this wore my alt..
Timothy McAndrews: and they interviewed me and I wore in.. paid 50L for a uniform and training begun
From here Timothy goes on to make complaints about the online times (or lack of) colleagues and general complaints on how this ‘Police Department’ is run. It seemed from the way he spoke about it as though he was really speaking of a ‘real’ police department, which brought me on to ask him what he actually did. I was informed simply that he patrolled sims that the PD has been given permission to patrol looking for spamming, arguing, other griefing etc. He did address the issue of powerlessness, given that these ‘police’ have no authority or power that any other residents do not have. He went on to mention that the next department he worked for did have ban and eject rights on some sims, rights that they had negotiated having with the sim owners. Now, as the manager of a 30 sim estate myself, I did feel the need to ask why it is someone would hire pixel police as opposed to just letting their own team get on with it and simply he did not have an answer.
It was rather enlightening, speaking to Timothy. Moreso since I was expecting to speak to someone who would, having been a ‘police officer’ in game since his arrival to game, defend the role mercilessly. But actually by the end of our conversation he simply summed up with:-
Timothy McAndrews: but it came to me.. I am not a police officer.. nor deserve the title of what some have to train and do a really good job
Timothy McAndrews: I can’t solve crimes, prevent, keep people safe
Timothy McAndrews: I believe everyone wants to be in control
I have summed this rather long log up quickly here just to keep the main points in without giving you 15 pages to read lol! It was bizarre to effectively have found someone who just that day had changed his perception on something he had obviously loved for so long. And even more bizarre to go out in an attempt to speak to someone who will defend the things I mock, find someone who seems to fit the bill perfectly, but who then just ends up agreeing with my points.
See what happens when I try to be balanced? In a second attempt, I spoke to Mysha Milland who runs the ‘Police Department’ in game. I took some information ascertaining to her force from her. What did interested me was the charity work they do, having recently raised almost L$ 300000 for Make a Wish. Now, nobody can mock charity to this level and if that is the only thing to come of the setup, then it’s no bad thing at all. I also spoke to her about whether Police officers in game were simply trying to the job of Linden Lab without getting paid, something she quite happily agreed with.
Josue Habana: I understand none are affiliated (with Linden Lab), which makes me wonder why you would do it? Are you not just doing Linden Lab’s job but without getting paid?
Mysha Milland: Yes.
Mysha Milland: The world is full of volunteers. Volunteering can be immensely satisfying.
That is something that nobody can dispute. And the volunteering element I can get on board with, as it happens. However, ‘policing’ the metaverse as a volunteer activity strikes me as something more of a power trip than a volunteer activity, an issue addressed by Mysha.
Mysha Milland: Yes, I will agree. Many officers are self-serving and enjoy the ego boost. Second LIfe assuages ones ego and offers opportunities to be whoever we want to be.
Mysha Milland: Some want the power trip; some want to be the stud or the model. It’s a fantasy life.
After speaking to Mysha and reading the information on her handout, it is clear that she does not see her role purely as roleplay. In fact, in the information, there is an open letter of sorts, to Linden Lab:-
“PROPOSAL FOR LINDEN LAB:
As concerned residents of Second Life, we see the immediate need to drastically improve the governing of our communities.
Linden Lab is the only “authorized government” to execute some form of penalty, ranging from warnings to account suspension to outright banishment from Second Life. This reactive approach to “policing” is mostly generated from the submissions of Abuse Reports by residents. Placing the responsibility to report crime solely on the shoulders of residents, many without the knowledge and experiences, is not reasonable, nor is it successful in reducing crime.
The best approach to policing is taking a proactive position, to effectively anticipate, prevent and react to crime within communities. The presence of police has proven to be a deterrent to crime. Our purpose is to educate residents on the Terms of Service, Community Standards, and accurately filing Abuse Reports. Sharing this knowledge with others builds up a positive understanding of what the rules are within Second Life, while engaging in improving community relationships.
The reputation of “good” police groups has been tainted by the overwhelming allowances of “bad” police groups, whose main thinking seems to be a misguided right to “regrief” on griefers just because they sport a badge and uniform.
An improvement on reducing crime can only be achieved two ways:
1) Educating residents on the rules of Second Life and reporting abuse as it occurs, and
2) Training and sanctioning selected police groups and abolishing all others.
Almost everyone has experienced some sort of violation of the Community Standards, and crime occurring within Second Life has bled out into the real world. Second Life is expanding rapidly and Linden Lab has not effectively taken the cries from residents seriously enough. Positive policing needs to be implemented immediately so everyone can receive quality service, protection, and fairness.
We are asking Linden Lab to devise a program of precise training measures, and to have each member of a police group apply to be “sanctioned”; to be held accountable for their actions, so that we can begin to build up a solid reputation for enforced law in Second Life. ”
For me, this is a step too far. For someone to be self declared a ‘police officer’ in game is one thing, but for these people to be awarded the task of assisting in disciplining the unruly is a little crazy, in my opinion!
However, in terms of Mysha herself, she is certainly very proud of her efforts in maintaining some order in our favourite pixel world. The charity work is something you absolutely cannot argue with as being an amazing thing. Speaking to Mysha opened my mind a little bit. However, I manage a 30 sim estate. If we had griefers, would I call on police? No. I would call on Linden Lab. Would I call on police to watch for griefers? No, that’s what we have staff for. So to this extent I really do see it as pointless. Roleplay is one thing, but for those who genuinely seem to convince themselves that they have some authority, I think they need to get out more.
Tags: police roleplay, second life law enforcement, Second Life police, SL police
Categories:
Interviews, Random Thoughts and Musings
marty
Well this is true, how we say that being a police officer is a power trip?, some are , kids on a power trip. But not all some of them truley wants to help, josue i understand your concern when you state why call police to police my sims when u have staff to do that ok this is a fair statement, But however you must pay your staff and most likley more then you would for police/security. As a sim owner myself i have found it easier for me to hire these security firms, as 99% of the time its a 24/7 service, and i cant be or my estate staff cant be. And also with the new training schedules some of these security firms do i think its great. We all are pixels, some are firefighters some are kings, some are models, so whats the difference???
Damien
Well i happen to agree with marty, im not involved with a police/security group, but i have hired them, i currently own 43+ sims , i used to own 60 but sold most of them off. Ive had no proplem with the security services i have hired especially one in particuler.Cough cough (international law enforcement academy) bit of advertisment for you
. Anyway thats not why im here, The author quoted” Would i call on police?, No il call on Linden Labs?” Well we have all done that and have we got a result? Hmmm?, Atleast with my sims if im not online or my managerment staff, These guys make my residents life alot easier by being there solving the proplem quick, ejecting, banning or whatever it takes. In the past i have lost soooo many residents beacause they was having proplems being attacked and when they needed me or my staff the most noone was online. eventually they moved on. just an example i pay my estate manager 1500L pw, thats 6k pm, i pay my security service 4k per month, the diffrence is my security services in online 24/7. That figure i quoted was only for 1 estate manager well i have a team of 30. the Security firm has a staff of 40 i pay them less and without offending they do a better job. I agree that some police depts have ruined it for others but its like anything shop around find what depts mature, well trained and well operated, and i will garantee any sim owner that they will save alot of time and money. If they dident i still wouldent have a great buissness and 43+ sims now would i . xxx nic
Josue Habana
Ok… well it seems yo’re both taking me way too seriously lol!
But… to answer your points. First of all, if you are a sim owner you can go into concierge at ANY POINT for live chat and if you are having a griefing incident, in my experience, they come over immediately to assist.
Secondly, if you are going to pay a police department, why not just pay support reps who can deal with “security” issues as well as other land matters? Our staff are paid a good salary and have a free land allowance and they all have estate rights. They’re trained well and deal with any problems efficiently… as well as answering resident queries and dealing with potential new residents.
And as for having a team of 30… personally I am pickier about who I will give estate manager rights to. I woudln’t want to add 30 randomers to my estate list!! And what can these “police” do without estate rights?
Yawn.
Damien
well im not taking it to seriously lol, just stating my point. Thats fine we all have diffrent opinions, and they are not given estate rights they are in my land group with ban and eject rights, ive had these guys for 16 mths and no proplems so far. And i think out of all my time on here ive only seen concierge come over immediately to assist um .. properley 5 times or so.but thats kool, like i said only stating my opinion. I think all that some people are trying to say SOME of these police/security are just trying to provide service’s just like the rest of us, weather its selling land, selling goods, selling advice or providing security its all the same. Tc Nic xxx
Mel
Cdurd770 Halfpint
Hello, I currently run a PD in world. We offer some of the most professional services and most certainly do not operate to be bullies or for the “Power Trip” we simply wish to educate residents on how to be safe in SL. We view this as a means of proactive policing. You can’t deny that an educated resident probably wouldn’t need security or police. We have quite the active role in our community, we hold charity events as well as teach classes to newbies to help them make an adjustment to SL. Anyone with a doubt or question about our need to be here, or purpose, can log into SL and look up **Police Department** or contact Chief Cdurd770 Halfpint
Rose Darkmatter
I agree with all the statements above, however not all residents who wish to help each other are teenagers on a power trip. I understand that there is a lack of in world police departments which actually do serve a purpose, most are full of people with control issues or residents simply wanting to play “cop”.
Myself and friends (well experienced residents) have grouped together to create a volunteer educational group with a police theme, we don’t police second life, nor do we want too, we simply wish to educate and assist in anyway we can. We believe knowledge is power. We offer education in all aspects of Second Life, I agree with the statement above that seasoned residents won’t require any education. Some new residents find it very beneficial.
These bad police groups have tainted the reputation of all police like groups in world, as I said above we aren’t all out to try bully other residents.
If anyone has any questions or queries please feel free to IM me in world or visit our HQ **Virtual Special Constabulary**.
Kind Regards
RD
Mr Frosty
Hey…. All of the above is correct; there isn’t a need for pixel police.
I can understand the purpose of an education group who have adopted a police theme or a security service for sim or landowners… that sounds all well and good.
But honestly what’s the deal with these guys who walk around sandboxes or info hubs wearing a police uniform and PD Officer tag then threaten to have people banned from the grid???
Being a region owner myself I have encountered groups offering to patrol my area for free, one “Police Chief” even claimed that he new an sl terrorist who was going to wipe my sims out, and he would stop it happening and keep my vendors and residents safe if I paid him 20K per week for his services. This guy was 3 days old and also, and was a member of various sex and mafia groups. Why do these people conduct themselves in that manner if they want to be taken seriously…..? Most pixel cops are a joke, however it is funny how every “Sl Cop” is a real life police officer…… if I were a betting man I would say that half of these guys are about 15 and have been watching far to much CSI. If you were a real life serving officer, wouldn’t you be sick of being on the job?? Dealing with BS all day long then coming home and sitting down at your computer ready to start all over in again but in a virtual world??? Sorry I think not. I have various real life friends who are serving police officers and retired who use sl and they totally despise the image portrayed by these jumped up “sl cops”.
This scares me when some of these Police groups are tying to persuade linden lab to sanction them so they can have TOS enforcement authority…. Haha I think there is more chance of Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley doing a voice duet in Korea while wearing a neko tail and bright pink hat. Even if that did happen a PD officer would probably come along and give them a ticket.
No real life or retired officer would have anything to do with at least 95% of these people. I am not tarring all security forces with the same brush; some do provide a quality service. Some residents do give up there time for the common good… that I respect.
Here is a challenge for you Miss Darkmatter, why don’t you try and offer some education to these “sl cops” who are frankly a pain in the *ss!!
I think you have a heavy task in front of you, rather you then me…… haha may the “force” be with you. (Your lucky its not police department otherwise you would have no chance)
If all police groups where about education and proving an actual quality service then we wouldn’t have any issues.
Cdurd770 Halfpint
Mr Frosty, i do understand your feelings, and actually my group goes by PD. So your comment directed in that direction are almost coming across offensive. We are actually applying, and will have a decent chance at the LL Resident Help Network, as in being recognized as a group that truly does offer assistance, education, and advice to both new and seasoned residents alike. I would actually challenge you to come in world, visit my sim, and meet us, talk for a bit, and formulate an opinion of a PD Officer based on fact and present. Not past and other people’s groups. I do certainly hope you’d take this opportunity to visit us. You can find us in world by by searching Police Department or by checking out my profile. Cdurd770 Halfpint
Josue Habana
I seriously, seriously do not understand why, if there is no element of power tripping to it, you choose to call yourselves a ‘police department’ when what you claim to do is to “educate.”
Why not a school? Or an education facility? Or a provider of tutorials?!
Bella
Cdurd770 Halfpint,
I can tell you’re very passionate about your group becoming a sanctioned enforcement authority within world.
Like Josue has questioned below, why do you go by the name “Police Department” when your group in fact is not a police authority, but an educational group as you have previously stated.
Do you honestly believe that Linden Lab will sanction your group to police the grid? Or have you realized that policing the grid is for linden lab employee’s to worry about. Upon visiting your station I was informed by one of your lieutenants that your group would be sanctioned if linden lab ever chooses to do so. How can your group members make statements like that? Are they the ones who call the shots at linden Labs head office?
If linden lab were thinking of making such a move why wouldn’t they employ a professional security organization? Why would they trust a group of avatars who sport a shiny badge and call themselves police officers? I understand that some of your members claim to be highly trained real life police officers, as is the norm for virtual police departments within world. (To my experience) But can your people verify that? Surely linden labs would carry out real background checks before sanctioning an enforcement authority.
Do your members have any real policing skills? It takes a lot of hard work and training to become a real police officer, why should your group be given this authority when it is possible that your members may not have the credentials or qualification. Second Life™ is a world of make believe and fantasy that is fine, but surely reality would have to hit home when making a change such as this. The issue of impersonating a police officer could possibly come into play.
At the moment your organization is self appointed as a Police Department and you bare no relationship with Linden labs, please correct me if this is wrong.
I don’t have any issue with groups providing security services for land owners as long as they have the owners permission. I also have an issue with Police like groups walking around sandboxes and info hubs, misleading people that they do have authority. You can’t deny that this is going on. I don’t know Linden Labs opinion on this, as I don’t know any lindens personally. But would they want a group of people misleading residents in this fashion? I would guess they wouldn’t.
In my Opinion
•Security forces providing a service on privately owned land with the consent of the owner. Yes that’s up to the owner.
•Education and Help Groups Yes. Education is a fantastic thing.
•Groups pretending to be Police departments and insist they aren’t a role play group. No I don’t understand what real purpose you have other then to feed your own power tripping habits.
However I am still off the opinion like so many others, that there is no place for a pixel police department within second life™. I don’t believe that Linden Labs will sanction a currently existing in world police department, if they were to make this move I think they would bring in an outside professional agency.
I put my faith in Linden Lab
“We are actually applying, and will have a decent chance at the LL Resident Help Network, as in being recognized as a group that truly does offer assistance, education, and advice to both new and seasoned residents alike.”
(Cdurd770 Halfpint)
“Are “police” or vigilante groups who cater to dispute resolution and addressing abuse welcome to join? No. Linden Lab does not support resident run police or vigilante groups. No special authority will be granted to Resident Help Network groups to solve disputes or handle abuse.”
This Question was taken from https://blogs.secondlife.com/community/community/volunteers/rhn_guidelines/faq?view=discussions (RHN FAQ written by linden lab)
A police group is not allowed to even apply for this status. How is it you believe “Police Department” has a chance of becoming part of the Resident Help Network?
We are all entitled to our opinions Cdurd770, this posting was not intended to offend, but to question your “Police Departments” role in world.
My opinions are formulated from my own personal findings and information I have received about Virtual policing. I did visit your office some time ago and I have talked to a selection of your members, but I haven’t asked permission to name people so I shall not. All they seemed to care about was if I was age verified, I demonstrated that I was, then left to look around the lobby, while listening to an avatar using voice who seemed annoyed about something, and was cussing about another avatar who she believed was an alternate of someone who was banned from the grid.. She was wearing your uniform and displayed a Lieutenants tag. I haven’t been back as I found once was enough. The only thing I did like was the old style building they were using and the stained glass windows. Also they did have various charities donation tip jars out, that I respect however group members I have met seemed to be self serving, and not about aiding the community or its residents. I can’t comment on all the group members as I have only met a hand full. I hope this lieutenant wasn’t the model for your senior members.
If your group has changed its ethos and is purely about education then I wish you every success and thank you for your efforts in our virtual community.
If “Police Department” can demonstrate that they are force for good then I’m sure the community and all its residents will be grateful for your presence.
I think residents will relate better to you, if you didn’t call yourself a police department, as a police department is something you are not. Education group? Only time will tell.
Good Luck
My apologies if there has been some repetition in this posting.
Cdurd770 Halfpint
Wow bella, you sure have some hostile answers for someone who clearly has no understanding of our group. We are not saying anything about be “Sanctioned” That entire piece or work was written over a year ago regarding sanctioning. If you care to read further into the thread you posted from the RHN you’ll see that so long as the primary focus on this revolves around groups that do provide education and such. You can formulate whatever opinions you like, and make whatever power tripping statements you like, but the bottom line is that they are just your opinion. Likewise, when you make such assumptions, they only make you look foolish. And that Lt you spoke of, has long since been dismissed, as we don’t tolerate such behaviors. I wish you the best with whatever. Enjoy.
Smithy
Cdurd770 sounds like you have a big chip on your shoulder buddy, not good conduct for a police chief lmao……
Your saying your not power hungry? Damn you certainly act like it!
Go watch some more police academy movies! There is more to life then being in control.
P.S Try getting out more
Cdurd770 Halfpint
lol, ok. you clearly can’t read well.
Micheal Jackson
Hey, I really had concerns about these comments since I was invoilved in about 2 pd’s within SL, that claimed to not be rp and actully assit and solve problems in SL. I had a bad experience with both..so bad to the point that I had to leave SL. The day that I had to leave…was the most dreaded day in my life as I have put so much into my SL and to have to leave it all behind was horriable. What happened you may ask? My answer to that is betrayal by the pd’s and also the members that worked their as well. They seemed like nice vpeople at first that really cared about SL and it’s residents,like me, but I found out that they were acutlly “power tripped” (as it is called) and they did noyt help residents but they tryed to tell them what to do. they worked primarily at newbie locations and spreaded throughout then as I worked longer they continued to grief..Yes I reporeted but somehow I am guessing that alt avatars were made and the work proceeded. I left SL for many reasons this being the highest, I do still believe that there is a good, trustworthy pd out there in the world of SL, but till this day SL law enforcement, even those that seems to serve a good purpose has hurt me and others as well, PD’S in SL are still up for questioning, I still have faith that a good pd will come along but until then I will continue to leave my words, and try and find another SL that is as close to my last as possiable. God Bless
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