SOP · FIELD OPERATIONS
Interdiction Rules of Engagement
ActiveField OperationsRev C
Purpose
To bind every interdiction action against pollinator-trafficking, neonicotinoid distribution, and hive-theft operations to a doctrine of strict proportionality and zero harm to persons. The procedure guarantees that force is never the first instrument, that no operative engages without a confirmed standing authorization, and that disruption falls on goods, gear, and ledgers — never on people who can be spared — so that the organization's legitimacy is never forfeited in the field.
Scope
All HIVE-13 field interdiction operations at Disrupt tier and above.
In scope:
- Confirmation of a standing authorized target before any engagement
- Proportionality assessment and graduated response
- Disengagement and withdrawal triggers
- Non-harm discipline toward persons and bystanders
Out of scope:
- Target tiering and authorization, which follows SOP Target Dossier Tiering & Authorization
- Evidence handling of seized goods, which follows SOP Evidence Chain-of-Custody & Handling
Definitions
Standing Target
An operation, vehicle, or site with an open dossier authorized to Disrupt tier or higher by the Doctrine Board.
Proportionality
The principle that any disruptive act must be the least-harmful means sufficient to halt the ongoing ecological or pollinator harm.
Non-Harm Discipline
The absolute constraint that no person — adversary, bystander, or operative — is to be physically harmed where harm can be avoided.
Withdrawal Trigger
A pre-briefed condition that mandates immediate disengagement, including arrival of flagged authorities or risk to persons.
Responsibilities
Field Operations Lead (Owner)
Owns the doctrine; confirms target standing and authorizes graduated response on scene.
Interdiction Operative
Executes the least-harmful effective action; holds non-harm discipline; disengages on trigger.
HIVE-13 Doctrine Board
Sets the proportionality standard and signs off any escalation beyond Disrupt tier.
MELISSA
Monitors target position, watches for inbound authorities, and logs the engagement telemetry for after-action review.
Procedure
Confirm Authorization
- Confirm the target carries an open dossier authorized to Disrupt tier or higher before any action.
- Verify the proportionality assessment recorded in the dossier still holds against current conditions.
- Brief every operative on the withdrawal trigger before engaging — never after.
Graduated Response
- Begin at the least-harmful effective intervention; escalate only if the lower step demonstrably fails to halt the harm.
- Direct all disruption at goods, gear, vehicles, and ledgers — never at persons.
- Halt and reassess the moment a bystander or non-combatant enters the engagement zone.
Disengage
- Withdraw immediately on any pre-briefed trigger, including inbound flagged authorities.
- Account for every operative before clearing the scene.
- Harm no person who can be spared; file the engagement record for after-action review within 24 hours.
PPE & Controls
Identity-concealing field kit with no organization markingsNon-lethal personal protection onlySting-resistant gloves and veiled hood for apiary proximityBody-worn camera with MELISSA time/geotag sync
Records Generated
- Engagement authorization confirmation (retained to case close + 7 years)
- Proportionality assessment on file
- Body-worn camera footage with metadata
- Withdrawal-decision and after-action log
References
- SOP: Target Dossier Tiering & Authorization
- SOP: Evidence Chain-of-Custody & Handling
- SOP: Field Team Deployment & Extraction
- HIVE-13 Doctrine Board Charter, Art. IV (Non-Harm)
Revision History
| Rev | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| A | 2089-04-02 | Initial issue; non-harm discipline and standing-target rule established. |
| B | 2090-05-18 | Added graduated-response steps and explicit withdrawal triggers. |
| C | 2091-01-14 | Proportionality assessment tied to dossier; MELISSA engagement telemetry formalized. |