The Hero Certification Programme (HCP) license was created by the UK Ministry of Powers so that the UK government would be able to use Meta-humans and powered individuals to protect people by ensuring the proper training and qualification as special constables.
HCP registration consists of various tests and monitoring carried out by Ministry of Powers/M.E.T.A. authorised teams and institutions over a six month to two year period to ensure competence and compliance with UK laws.
Students must be 18+ to undergo the Final HCP Certification process. This assessment and training can be carried out by the Metropolitan Police, certain schools and colleges (such as Walford DSFC, Claremont Academy, Pryde Foundation for Gifted Children, Wessex University, Metropolitan College etc.), followed by a one year apprenticeship with an authorised team and/or registered individual (such as Aontacht Éire, London Watch or The Commander etc.) or under corporate sponsorship ( Dalton International etc.)
Under UK common law, powered individuals are not required to hold HCP status to stop a crime being committed or to give chase and catch criminals who are in the process of committing or have committed a crime, however without HCP certification they may not apprehend someone who they merely believe to be planning to commit a criminal act or who they think may have committed a crime but which has not been witnessed/reported and there is no available evidence to collaborate. HCP Certification confers the same powers and authority as a Police officer on its holders.
Superhumans and the Law
The existence of superhumans has created volumes of law and legal precedent over the years. The salient points of superhuman law are:
The 2005 Superpower Registration Act was enacted throughout Europe but the UK version allows individuals to register under a unique ID rather than their own details provided the individual’s identity is officially confirmed and then securely sealed and a court order is required for it be unsealed.
• Offensive super-powers are considered weapons, and using a power against someone is generally considered aggravated assault unless the individual is acting in self-defence or to prevent a crime. Individuals with offensive super powers must be registered, though this can be under a registered identity in the UK rather than under their own name. If they have also undertaken the Hero Certification Programme this also allows heroes to be classed as having undergone the proper training and qualification as special constables without being held liable for incidental damages and accidental injury caused by their line of work.
• Superheroes do not have to follow criminal procedures unless they are also members of a police force or other law-enforcement agency even if they have HCP status. Among other things, this means superheroes don’t need to read a criminal his rights when making an arrest.
• Superheroes (even with HCP status) can be charged with “excessive force” if they use more than the minimum force required to disable or restrain opponents. This is most often invoked in the case of violent vigilantes who kill or maim criminals even if it was unintentional. The use of deadly force is not considered excessive if the super was trying to save a life or they believed it was necessary to prevent their opponent’s use of deadly force.
• Costumed identities are recognised as legal entities, allowing costumed superhumans to engage in commerce, testify in court, or be sued without revealing their alternate identity. Their alternative identity does still need to be registered with the Police and M.E.T.A. and DNA data provided which is immediately sealed and securely stored to prove proof of identity as and required.
• Superhumans are public figures, subject to the same sort of media coverage as other public figures.
• The use of Super-Senses and powers like Telepathy can be considered a violation of a person’s right to privacy and a legal prohibition against “unreasonable searches.” No one can be forced to submit to a telepathic scan, and evidence acquired solely through extrasensory means is not admissible in court.
- M.E.T.A. – Metahuman Evaluation and Tracking Authority
Superhero Adventures, UK Style 