Vigilanties

Adoption of a vigilante system
Catsfern recently adopted a system for vigilante justice, allowing some intrepid homegrown crime fighters to become “superheroes” in the eyes of the public. This new system's long-term effect on crime remains to be seen, but there has been a slight drop in crime rates. There is a code of conduct for these vigilantes that all must adhere to, but so far things appear to be well. Some vigilantes even organize themselves into various groups across Catsfern, forming small pseudo-police forces for given areas. A few of them have begun to gain immense public popularity, resulting in an outlet for merchandising.

Code of conduct
To protect the well-being of innocent civilians, criminals - and the vigilantes themselves, an official code of conduct has been adopted by the Catsfernian government. This code makes national rules on who can be a vigilante, what they can do to arrest a criminal, the equipment allowed to subdue a criminal's vehicle, payment, a vigilante register, and other matters.

What Vigilantes Can and Can't do.
Vigilantes are permitted to make informal arrests of criminals in the cat of omitting a crime, but they are not allowed to perform criminal investigations or serve warrants. Warrants and investigations are left to the police. Vigilantes are also permitted to injure or kill criminals they attempt to apprehend, but only if the criminal is actively and purposely using force to resist arrest. This rule was put in place after a vigilant simply slaughtered an entire criminal gang. All Vigilantes must register with the government and be licensed in order to act as a vigilantly. Criminals arrested by a vigilantly still retain the right to trial, and the vigilantly who made the arrest may be asked to give their testimony in court. If someone a vigilantly arrests is found innocent and received injuries from their arrest they can file a formal complain against that vigilantly that may result in disciplinary action such as a fine, having their licences temporarily revoked, or even having their licences permanently revoked.