Division Ranks & Design Projects

[~Legend~]

Recently we have been looking at how the specialist divisions can be improved.

In the near future the following changes can be expected:

• Updated leadership of divisions
• New staff for the divisions
• Adjusted procedures
• Brand new rank patches/badges
  (similar to what VCPD officers have)


To begin the discussions, we would like some input into SWAT's current ranks:

The aim is to devise (or continue to uphold) a set of ranks for SWAT that are most suitable for the division. Each rank needs to carry some value and should be good achievements in their own right. There should be good prospects for promotions and career progression. We also look to ensure that these ranks are balanced with VCPD's FBI division. So... How is the current structure? Should any ranks be renamed? Do any ranks need to be added or removed?

And... talking about those upcoming patches & badges, here are some designs in progress!

[Huntsman]

Everything's nice, liking the graphic arts design but shouldn't SWAT Associate rank be below SWAT Operative? Associate is somebody who helps the organisation but is not officialy in it, while Operative is someone who operates inside of it officially.

[Spike]

How about a cadet rank and associate stays for VCPD Upper CMD?

[Allison]

'Associate' is a bit of an outdated term when it comes to tactical operations, and as Alfred said, isn't really deemed as a operative position.
The rest seem fine, unless you want to add in a Cadet-style probationary rank, which even then might not be necessary for VCPD.

[PulseEffect]

Devolve the Associate rank and remove it outright. I may be able to help in design I guess.

[~Legend~]

The SWAT team's been discussing this and the Associate rank is likely to be removed.

We have never used the rank, it was meant to be an intermediate level to show something like 'senior SWAT'.

How does SWAT Team Leader sound? Should it be renamed?
It is likely that senior members of SWAT will be promoted to this rank in the future to show that they are experienced SWAT rather than purely Operatives.

I may be able to help in design I guess.

Anytime buddy, would be happy to have your help.

[Spike]

I would suggest the following

SWAT Commander
SWAT 2nd Commander // VCPD Command Staff
SWAT Officer II
SWAT Officer I
SWAT Cadet

[Huntsman]

I would suggest the following

SWAT Commander
SWAT 2nd Commander // VCPD Command Staff
SWAT Officer II
SWAT Officer I
SWAT Cadet

I'd say:

SWAT Comissioner
SWAT Commander
SWAT Operative

[Jake Parker]

I would suggest the following

SWAT Commander
SWAT 2nd Commander // VCPD Command Staff
SWAT Officer II
SWAT Officer I
SWAT Cadet

I am not a part of VCMP but this sounds awesome! My point of view 

I'd say:

SWAT Comissioner
SWAT Commander
SWAT Operative

[Call_me_Dad]

I'd say:

SWAT Comissioner
SWAT Commander
SWAT Operative

Agreed, these sound much better than Team Leader.

There should be good prospects for promotions and career progression.
We also look to ensure that these ranks are balanced with VCPD's FBI division.

In this case, I think we should add an additional rank to make it 4:

SWAT Commissioner(After Spellcheck )
SWAT Commander
SWAT Operative
SWAT Associate - can also be called SWAT Recruit or SWAT Cadet.

The associate rank is a VCPD Officer who shows interest in SWAT. Associates have access to SWAT skin and armour, but not weapon gears.

I was also wondering about ingame perks for ARPD ranks. By my understanding, they are against Argonath Vision. Does SAMP has any of them?

[PulseEffect]

The associate rank is a VCPD Officer who shows interest in SWAT. Associates have access to SWAT skin and armour, but not weapon gears.

I was also wondering about ingame perks for ARPD ranks. By my understanding, they are against Argonath Vision. Does SAMP has any of them?

What ARPD ranks? Be more specific! D:

[Charles F. Offdensen]

From my own experience, having loads of ranks is no use in tactical units, so I would keep the number around four or five, just as it is now. But in my opinion, the ranks should be more similar to regular police ranks, for example:

SWAT Commander
SWAT Captain
SWAT Sergeant
SWAT Officer/Operative

I think it is slightly less "confusing" to meet 3 sergeants in the same squad than it is to meet 3 team leaders in one squad. Team leader sounds like the guy who holds the rank always, at any situation, leads the team. With those ranks, team leader "position" could be transferable. Meaning that when there are for example 1 sergeant and 2 operatives, the sergeant becomes the team leader, but when there is a captain in addition to those, he becomes the team leader and so on. The point is, team leader would be sort of dynamic rank, assigned usually to the highest ranked SWAT member present on the scene, and the other ranks would be static, meaning you keep them even outisde the operation.

[PulseEffect]

From my own experience, having loads of ranks is no use in tactical units, so I would keep the number around four or five, just as it is now. But in my opinion, the ranks should be more similar to regular police ranks, for example:

SWAT Commander
SWAT Captain
SWAT Sergeant
SWAT Officer/Operative

I think it is slightly less "confusing" to meet 3 sergeants in the same squad than it is to meet 3 team leaders in one squad. Team leader sounds like the guy who holds the rank always, at any situation, leads the team. With those ranks, team leader "position" could be transferable. Meaning that when there are for example 1 sergeant and 2 operatives, the sergeant becomes the team leader, but when there is a captain in addition to those, he becomes the team leader and so on. The point is, team leader would be sort of dynamic rank, assigned usually to the highest ranked SWAT member present on the scene, and the other ranks would be static, meaning you keep them even outisde the operation.

Surely we can add a procedure or piece of training in our own program to make Team Leaders be assigned in each situation and therefore just make the title of "Team Leader" or "TL" for just the situation and not a rank.

Simplified; Team Leader is assigned by highest commanding person on scene or a majority of people make someone TL in a situation. This out rightly removes the rank from use in the forums or in other paperwork.

So ye, good suggestion.

[~Legend~]

Naming of ranks: I think we should avoid having multiple ranks with the same/similar name across divisions.
e.g. SWAT Cadet and VCPD Cadet, or SWAT Officer and VCPD Officer

Just keeps things simple, particularly in the radio chat!


Number of ranks: VCPD's FBI division has the following 4 ranks: Agent, Special Agent, Station Commander and Director
Ranks like Deputy Director, Associate Director, Chief of Staff etc. were dropped due to being surplus to requirements - and we ran the risk of having more ranks than people.

SWAT with Operative, Associate, Team Leader and Commander have 4 also.
However, based on feedback over last 2 wks it would not be harmful to reduce this number to 3 if people feel there is no need for the extra one. It's still fair as SWAT staff get to hold 2 ranks since they keep their VCPD rank also, whereas upon joining FBI you have to leave any officer ranks behind.

[Huntsman]

I'd say:

SWAT Comissioner
SWAT Commander
SWAT Operative

Agreed, these sound much better than Team Leader.

There should be good prospects for promotions and career progression.
We also look to ensure that these ranks are balanced with VCPD's FBI division.

In this case, I think we should add an additional rank to make it 4:

SWAT Commissioner(After Spellcheck )
SWAT Commander
SWAT Operative
SWAT Associate - can also be called SWAT Recruit or SWAT Cadet.

The associate rank is a VCPD Officer who shows interest in SWAT. Associates have access to SWAT skin and armour, but not weapon gears.

I was also wondering about ingame perks for ARPD ranks. By my understanding, they are against Argonath Vision. Does SAMP has any of them?

Nope, benefits of being a member of an official organisation is actually encouraged in Argonath. As you may have noticed, SA:MP no longer has freecops. Everyone who joins the cop duty is automatically a SAPD officer, however, to progress and gain rank higher than Senior Officer, you must apply. Senior Officers gain Deagle, nitestick, pepperspray and SMG upon going on duty, while regular officers gain only desert eagle, pepperspray and nitestick. Sergeant can equip himself and other officers with weapons and kevlar. FBI also can. SO yeah..

[~Legend~]

I think it is slightly less "confusing" to meet 3 sergeants in the same squad than it is to meet 3 team leaders in one squad. Team leader sounds like the guy who holds the rank always, at any situation, leads the team. With those ranks, team leader "position" could be transferable. Meaning that when there are for example 1 sergeant and 2 operatives, the sergeant becomes the team leader, but when there is a captain in addition to those, he becomes the team leader and so on. The point is, team leader would be sort of dynamic rank, assigned usually to the highest ranked SWAT member present on the scene, and the other ranks would be static, meaning you keep them even outisde the operation.

I think this is a good point.

Having dynamic team leaders or operation leaders would be great.

The current SWAT Team Leader rank is to denote senior SWAT, but perhaps a rename would be suitable.

[Huntsman]

I still think that the  best ranking system for SWAT that would make most sense would be:
SWAT Commissioner/Chief/Director
SWAT Commander
SWAT Operative

[Spike]

Well, it's just an idea but shouldn't FBI have at least a rank for internal affairs or such ?

[PulseEffect]

Well, it's just an idea but shouldn't FBI have at least a rank for internal affairs or such ?

Ranks like Deputy Director, Associate Director, Chief of Staff etc. were dropped due to being surplus to requirements - and we ran the risk of having more ranks than people.

[Spike]

Well, it's just an idea but shouldn't FBI have at least a rank for internal affairs or such ?

Ranks like Deputy Director, Associate Director, Chief of Staff etc. were dropped due to being surplus to requirements - and we ran the risk of having more ranks than people.

I don't mean all those ranks but maybe change one rank or add an extra rank that would be specialised in fight corruption not only on the FBI but in VCPD in general