Guard Conduct Manual


The purpose of this document is to specify proper behavior for Guards and Guard Captains.    It is incorporated into the body law for informational purposes, but is subordinate to the body of Mileth Law, specifically to the Mileth Town Charter.    It is not in itself law and may be modified as specified in Section E of Article II of the Mileth Town Charter.    As such, violations of these rules are not necessarily violations of law; see "Guard Misconduct & Punishment" below for details.

Unless specified otherwise, the term guard as used herein includes both guards and guard captains, and the pronoun "he" is used to include both genders.

Should a judge need to act in the capacity of a guard, he too is bound by these rules.


1) Guard Duties

It is the duty of guards to know the law.    Learn it.    If you are unsure, ask someone senior.    Don't take their word for it in the long run; study the laws in question yourself.    Your best defense is the law.    Your best weapon is the law.    Make your knowledge strong and sharp.

The oath of office requires a commitment of 40 hours per double-moon ((5 hours per RT week)) from each guard.    This is time to be spent in uniform in the public's sight.    Such time may be spent in high-population areas (Mileth Square, East Woodlands) or patroling the town.    Time spent in the guard meeting qualifies as part of this commitment.      A guard is, however, always on duty and must respond to citizens when they are in need of an officer of the law as specified in the Mileth Town Charter.

If a guard is occupied when he receives a call, he may seek another to cover the request for aid, or ask that the citizen seek another.    This does not absolve him of responsibility to see that the citizen receives assistance, however.    In cases where citizens complain they did not receive attention, the actions taken by the guard requested for assistance will be examined to see if he exercised reasonable efforts. Involvement in one case when a second arises is reasonable excuse; even so the guard should seek to ensure the second citizen is assisted.

It is the duty of a guard to investigate complaints brought by citizens.    The investigation should include visiting the scene of the crime (in uniform where possible), interviewing victims, suspects and witnesses, collecting evidence from all the preceding, and mediating a mutually acceptable solution where such is possible. The guard handling the case should bring it to a conclusion.    Acceptable conclusions are:

1) Insufficient evidence to determine guilt.

2) Sufficient evidence to assign guilt and recommend or enact punishment.

3) Mediation of a resolution acceptable to all parties.

It is the duty of the investigating guard to enact banishments or post a warrant for banishment, or to request exile (or more stern punishment where appropriate), and to bring such requests to the attention of guard captains for approval and forwarding to higher officials.

(cont.)