Member Complaint - Response

[TeaLeaf]

As you may know I was asked too respond to a member complaint recently.  I have posted my conclusion to the Admins and to the parties involved and received their agreement that the matter is now concluded.  Usually I would not publish the final conclusion, but as the matter become very public I am doing so to demonstrate to members that the matter was dealt with swiftly in a professional and independent manner.

The below post is submitted with the agreement of the parties involved.

TL.

Originally posted by TeaLeaf+-->

QUOTE(TeaLeaf)

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****COMPLAINT RESPONSE****
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On 5th December at 10.29pm I received a complaint from Ninja_Freak about Oldbloke, alledging buse of his authority as an admin on the BF2 server. I have reviewed the following information in reaching my conclusion:

•   Correspondence to me from Ninja_Freak
•   Information posted in the Admin Forums
•   Correspondence from BlueBall
•   Correspondence from Armitage (as requested by Ninja_Freak)
•   Information in three threads posted in the public BF2 section of the dMw forums

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The events are as follows:

4/12 22:02 Oldbloke posted to the Admin section details of a kick and ban from the BF2 server applied to Ninja_Freak Other comments added another Admin at 22:19.
4/12 23:21 Ninja_Freak made an initial post to the forums asking why he had been kicked from the BF2 server.
4/12 23:53 Initial forum thread closed by Oldbloke.
5/12 22:17 Second thread posted by Ninja_Freak.
5/12 23:22 Second thread closed by Oldbloke.
5/12 23:47 Third thread posted by Ninja_Freak.
6/12 00:07 Third thread closed by Oldbloke.
6/12 13:53 Ninja_Freak requested removal of BlueBall’s additional posts (using his Admin powers) to the then closed threads.

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It is clear from the above that after the initial incident on the BF2 server on 4/12 a lot happened when Ninja read Oldbloke’s response on 5/12. In less than 2 hours on 5/12 two new threads were opened, two were closed and I received the formal complaint.

Areas considered:
Potential abuse of Admins powers by Oldbloke
Action by Ninja_Freak

Leading up to the ban:
Ninja_Freak has stated that whilst playing BF2 and he typed swear words into general chat and received an automated Server warning for swearing. He has confirmed his response as "I will not stop swearing you cun$” (using the $ and not the T) but stated that the response was meant to be a joke.
Separate Admin reports have confirmed that Ninja was also swearing over voice comms that same evening.

The Ban:
Oldbloke issued the kick and ban from the BF2 server in response to the typed "I will not stop swearing you cun$” comment.

Findings:

Did Ninja_Freak’s behaviour on the from the BF2 server warrant Admin action?

 

Originally posted by Membership Standards"+-->

QUOTE(Membership Standards")

Language & Behaviour
Members should maintain a professional level of conduct at all times. Please keep your language and behaviour both in the forums and on the servers at that same level. [/b]

Originally posted by Player Standards
4. Language
All players should hold a professional level of conduct at all time. Please keep your language in the forums and on the server at a professional and mature level. Play as though you are an example for other players and set a good one. New players will often follow examples set by veteran players, good OR bad.

We all tolerate a degree of variance in 'language' from time to time, but an Admin had already been upset by the degree of swearing exhibited early in the evening to the point of intending to send a PM to Ninja_Freak to ask for some moderation of the language used.  This was superceded by reading Oldbloke’s post to the Admins and the Admin concerned added their comments to the Admin thread.  I would suggest that whilst frustration with the language was already raised by voice comms comments, the ante was upped by use of the 'c' word.  This is offensive to many and was the straw that broke the camel's back.

•   Yes, Ninja_Freak’s reported swearing via voice comms and typed response warranted Admin action.  Reference: Membership and Player Standards.

Was the Admin kick and ban from the BF2 server action appropriate and did it follow Admin Standards?

TL.
Wisdom doesn\'t necessarily come with age. Sometimes age just shows up all by itself.  (Tom Wilson)
Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships. (Michael Jordan)

[Wulfyn]

Wow, that is an extremely detailed response. Very well administered.

[Gone_Away]

Thanks TL for your unbiased judgement of the situation.

I just wanted to apologise to both BB and OB and anyone else on the server that might have been in ear-shot of my verbal or written language. I admit that my language was totally inapropriate for the server. Although I honestly I did not mean to offend anyone I know my actions were out of line.

I also agree that the process that I thought was in place was not followed but in the same breath I agree with TL's comments that the rules in place are out of date and not reflective of our current favourite BF2.

I would like to say that had I been made aware of my offensive behaviour on the spot I would have both apologised and corrected my actions. None of this would have been necessary.

I truly hope this puts an end to this episode and that I can continue to be a part of this great community that I have enjoyed for so many years.

NF  :ph34r:

[Anonymous]

From my point of view this is behind us. It takes a big guy to apologise and I accept your apology unreservedly.

Now let's get gaming!

[sulky_uk]

well said ninja m8 :thumbsupsmileyanim:

just frag em all next game :wink:

[Ranger]

Originally posted by Ninja_Freak@Dec 13 2005, 10:20 PM
Thanks TL for your unbiased judgement of the situation.

I just wanted to apologise to both BB and OB and anyone else on the server that might have been in ear-shot of my verbal or written language. I admit that my language was totally inapropriate for the server. Although I honestly I did not mean to offend anyone I know my actions were out of line.

I also agree that the process that I thought was in place was not followed but in the same breath I agree with TL's comments that the rules in place are out of date and not reflective of our current favourite BF2.

I would like to say that had I been made aware of my offensive behaviour on the spot I would have both apologised and corrected my actions. None of this would have been necessary.

I truly hope this puts an end to this episode and that I can continue to be a part of this great community that I have enjoyed for so many years.

NF :ph34r:

[post=105149]Quoted post[/post]

[/b]

Nice one mate,

We were all worried about this (but were waiting for the dust to settle to say anything). Great to see you about, and glad everyone is happy - wouldn't be the same without you.

Ranger

[Penfold]

Originally posted by Ninja_Freak@Dec 13 2005, 10:20 PM

I just wanted to apologise to both BB and OB and anyone else on the server that might have been in ear-shot of my verbal or written language. I admit that my language was totally inapropriate for the server. Although I honestly I did not mean to offend anyone I know my actions were out of line.

Whoo Hooo - I didn't want to post here until it was resolved but am really pleased it's all sorted now.

I'm just surpirsed that Ninj didn't use the ultimate defence:

"But but but I'm, like, a Canadian and can't speak proper English - duh".

I for one would have missed your silly vocal twang had you left  :narnar:

PEN