The policeman, like the detective (p. 37), may find that his fight against crime and disorder leads to horrors beyond the mundane. This template represents the “beat cop,” using guts and organization where the detective uses brains -- and beat cops. It’s the more adaptable character concept; aediles, town watches, etc. existed for centuries before specialists actively applied logic and observation to crime-solving. A good police force has both detectives and policemen, and so might a good horror party.
■Attributes:
ST 11 [10];
DX 11 [20];
IQ 11 [20];
HT 10 [0].
■Secondary Characteristics:
Dmg 1d-1/1d+1;
BL 24 lbs.;
HP 11 [0];
Will 11 [0];
Per 11 [0];
FP 10 [0];
BS 5.25 [0];
BM 5 [0].
■Advantages: Legal Enforcement Powers [5]. ● 10 points chosen from among
Will or
Per +1 or +2 [5/level], Alcohol Tolerance [1], Contacts (Street; Skill-12; 9 or less; Somewhat Reliable) [1/Contact], Fit [5], Patron (Commissioner or city official; 6 or less) [5], or Police Rank [5/level].
■DisAdvantages: Code of Honor (Police) [-5] and Duty (Police department; 15 or less) [-15]. ● -20 points chosen from among Addiction (Tobacco) [-5], Bad Temper [-10*], Bully [-10*], Honesty [-10*] or Secret (Corrupt) [-5 or -10], Intolerance (any) [-5 to -10], Overconfidence [-5*], Pacifism (Cannot Harm Innocents) [-10], Sense of Duty [-5 or -10], or Stubbornness [-5].
■Primary Skills: Area Knowledge (Beat) (E)
IQ+2 [4]-13; Brawling (E)
DX [1]-11; Criminology (A)
IQ [2]-11; First Aid (E)
IQ [1]-11; Guns (Pistol) (E)
DX +1 [2]-12; Guns (Shotgun) (E)
DX +1 [2]-12; Intimidation (A) Will+1 [4]-12; Law (Criminal or Police) (H)
IQ-1 [2]-10; Savoir- Faire (Police) (E)
IQ [1]-11; Shortsword (A)
DX [2]-11; and Wrestling (A)
DX [2]-11. ● One of Bicycling (E)
DX +1 [2]-12; or Driving (Automobile or Motorcycle) or Riding (Horse), all (A)
DX [2]-11.
■Secondary Skills: Climbing (A)
DX -1 [1]-10; Running (A)
HT [2]-10; Search (A)
Per [2]-11; and Streetwise (A)
IQ [2]-11. ● Either Diplomacy (H)
IQ-1 [2]-10 or Fast-Talk (A)
IQ [2]-11.
■Background Skills: A total of 6 points in Administration
(
IQ/A), Animal Handling (Dogs or Equines) (
IQ/A), Computer Operation (
IQ/E), L
IQuid Projector (Sprayer) (
DX /E), Psychology (
IQ/H), Shield (
DX /E), Typing (
DX /E), Writing (
IQ/A), or improved primary or secondary skills.
* Multiplied for self-control number; see p. B120.
□Customization Notes
This template represents a typical big-city beat cop, but suitable advantage and skill choices could yield a county sheriff, a federal agent, an ex-cop, or a corporate rent-acop. Serving officers must have at least 5 points of Legal Enforcement Powers (10 points for services like the FBI; 15 points for agencies like the Gestapo) and a -15-point Duty; ex-cops, bounty hunters, and rent-a-cops have neither.
A high-powered or cinematic campaign may feature action-hero cops. Create these by adding more
DX and
IQ; advantages such as Combat Reflexes, Higher Purpose, and Intuition; impressive Fast-Draw, Guns, and martialarts skills; and a broader and deeper collection of background skills.