Every cop in ROB RUN is a real player. Kefir's story is that Looty Bay's police department got so short-staffed it started "hiring anyone with a pulse", so anyone can sign up. Here is how to join, what the job pays and how a shift ends.
How do you join the police?
- Drive into Looty Bay.
- Go to the Looty Bay Police Station.
- Enlist, if there are open slots. When the force is full, you can't join until a slot frees up.
The split between cops and criminals only happens in Looty Bay. Each time you enter the city you choose a role again, according to Kefir's FAQ.
A creator guide from November 7 says the number of cops in a city was cut to four. We have not found this in an official post, so treat it as to be confirmed.
What gear do cops get?
You are issued standard gear and a patrol vehicle. Leveling up your badge unlocks better equipment. Kefir's Gameplay Overview adds that cops trade in Police Badges for top-tier gear.
The November 4 update changed this:
- Cops can now buy police badges. The selection depends on the district where the player lives.
- Badges from looting and from cop salaries were significantly reduced.
- On a fresh server, patrol cops only have pistols. Better gear unlocks as the server gets older.
How do cops make money?
Cops earn from:
- Arrests of criminals
- Seized contraband (their paycheck comes out of confiscated items)
- Bribes: a criminal with money in the bank can offer one, and if you accept, the cop gets "a solid payout" and the criminal keeps their bag
Kefir is open that this is a lower-paying role. Cops don't risk their own equipment, so "their rewards are noticeably lower". Creator This is Shran says his best as a cop was about $300k in half an hour, much less than he made robbing in the same time.
This is Shran's beginner guide also notes that confiscated items come to you as items, and you have to become a criminal to sell them.
What are backup calls?
When officers are stretched thin, players get a call for backup. If you answer it, you get upgraded gear and a temporary pay boost, according to Kefir. This is Shran recommends accepting these every time.
What happens if a cop dies?
Police officers only lose department-issued gear. Their personal items and equipment stay untouched. Since November 4, cops take longer to respawn, with an even longer delay after each death in a row.
How long can you be a cop?
Kefir has not published a shift length. In This is Shran's guide, a notification that the feds are coming to the city ends your shift: you drive off or end your patrol before the timer runs out. He says you can't sign up again until you empty your salary.
Cop or criminal?
| Cop | Criminal | |
|---|---|---|
| Risk to your own gear | Only department gear | Lose your bag if you die in the city |
| Income | Lower | Higher |
| Gear | Issued, improves with badges | Whatever you bring |
| Numbers | Usually outnumber criminals | Solo, party or clan |
Kefir describes cops as asymmetrical: they almost always outnumber criminals and respawn in Looty Bay, which makes them a big threat early on, until criminals get serious firepower.
Related: beginner guide, how to make money.