Ironhurst Police Force

Carronade Prison - the old fort that now serves as the jail for all those convicted of crimes or waiting trial.

The Ironhurst Police Force is the primary means of law enforcement within the city of Ironhurst. Established in 1768, the police are charged by royal charter to keep the peace within the city confines. The Chief of Police is the head of the department, who appoints detectives as well as patrol officers.

Ironhurst Police Force and the Law

The laws are voted on by parliament, and then passed to the Chief of the Police to impose on the populace for peacekeeping services. It is important to note that the charter defines the department as a peacekeeping organization. Because of that, it is customary for the Chief of Police to take that definition to heart, and only enforce laws which are deemed as unruly at the time. Because of the narrow path the charter lays out, it has resulted in parts of Ironhurst being quite safe, while other areas, such as Rattletrap, becoming a lawless land that contains itself. Because the police, rich, and powerful are unbothered by what happens there, everyone congratulates the Chief with a job well done, regardless of any inequalities that may take place in poorer districts. A current list of enforceable laws are found within the Ironhurst Laws page.

The Ironhurst Police Force is comprised of three separate tiers:

Chief of Police

The head of the department, this position’s main job is to recruit officers and detectives, manage arrest policies and developing the policies of transferring offenders to the prison system - either to serve their sentence or to await arraignment by a judge.

Detectives

This job is usually held by someone who was previously a patrol officer. A detective’s job is to investigate major crimes and collect evidence of more serious felonies.

Patrol Officers

Responsible for street patrols, protective duty, responding to reports, and guarding important events, people, and buildings.

Carronade Prison

The current prison in Ironhurst was built in 1811 and sits on the site of the former Fort Plain’s cannon battery. Carronade prison has a regular cell block, as well as solitary cells, and cells reserved for people convicted or pending conviction of high crimes. The prison is run by the Head Warden, and staffed by Wardens of the Carronade. Once inside the prison, criminals are housed based upon the decision of the wardens and their policies alone. Because the Prison is considered to be a part of the peacekeeping process within Ironhurst, there is no necessary limit on the housing quality or the type of treatment within the prison.

Head Warden

Recruits wardens, sets the policy of the prison. Directly reports to the Chief of Police

Wardens of the Carronade, commonly referred to solely as 'Wardens'

In charge of security of the prison, guarding prisoners, transporting them to sentencing or trials.

Often, due to staffing shortages or emergencies, Patrol Officers may also staff the prison as Wardens.

Standard Issue Gear

The Ironhurst Police Department uniform is typically navy blue with either copper or golden rank insignia and qualification badges. Wardens will wear red leather aprons over their basic navy blue standard issue.

Both the Ironhurst Police Department and the Carronade Prison staff are issued peacekeeping batons upon acceptance to their positions. These peace batons use steamtech mechanisms, requiring an hour charge at least once a day. The peace batons have four settings.

1. The first stage, a readiness charge, is to let the officer or warden know that the baton is live. It will emit a slight buzzing sound, and a small pulsation against the skin when fully charged. This stage is not painful, but can be felt through clothing.
2. The second stage is a warning charge. When pressed against the skin, it will transfer a small shock to the being. This stage is painful, but not debilitating.
3. The third stage is a shocking charge. When pressed against the skin, the baton transfers a heavier shock to the being, usually enough to bring them to a laying position.
4. The fourth stage delivers a debilitation shock that is excessively painful as well as the ability to shock a person into unconsciousness after three of these shocks within ten minutes.

Both of these departments serve at the pleasure of the royal charter and cannot be disbanded by parliament. It would take a direct intercession to the crown to alter their charter.