If a lower level officer(s) has a complaint against other players or their superior officer(s) in Far Point Fleet, they should attempt first to talk to the ship CO in private about the problem.  The CO is the ultimate authority on the ship, and has the *responsibility* to listen to player concerns and to address them reasonably.  Ideally, the players involved can come to agreement and the problem can be resolved without ever leaving the ship or becoming a public issue.

If talking with the Captain does not resolve the problem, the next step is to ask for mediation by the Fleet Administrators.  Mediation is not arbitration.  In Far Point Fleet, the Captain has ultimate control of the ship.  The Admiral(s) can suggest, recommend, offer advice, and overall try to help resolve the problem.  The Admiral(s) cannot tell a Captain what to do.

 

That being said, if mediation by the Administrator(s) does not resolve the problem and if the problem is sufficient to cost the fleet players, the Administrator(s) have a responsibility to bring the problem to the other Fleet CO’s for further attempt at resolution, and possibly for a vote on fleet action to be taken.  The intent of this policy is to give every opportunity for resolution without the Fleet officially having to become involved in ship issues.

 

However, if resolution is not attainable, the Fleet CO’s may vote on action to be taken to resolve the issue.  That action could include, but is not limited to:   

• wholly supporting the Captain’s position

• requesting that the Captain make specific changes to correct the problem (possibly an exchange or transfer of players, etc.)

Asking a Captain to step down from command should be a last resort in extreme circumstances where the issue is already affecting the entire ship.  Such a change in command may also cause loss of players, and would no doubt result in some split in the loyalties of the crew, and could ultimately damage the reputation of the ship and the entire Fleet.

 

It would be hoped that if conditions came to the point that the Fleet *had* to ask a Captain to vacate his position as CO, that the Captain would have already come to the conclusion that the best interest of the ship required a change in command.  If, however, the Captain refused to honor the request of the Fleet, a vote would be required to determine whether or not the ship would be allowed to remain in the Fleet under that Captain’s command.  The Fleet would also have to consider how best to serve the players in that case.

 

This policy does not attempt to resolve all possible issues; it merely establishes the procedure to be taken in cases where complaints are made against Command officers.