It has been made known by official information releases by THQ that Saints Row 2 has received a major overhaul when it comes to the police department. Earlier, the police used to be dummies without any appreciable AI, but this time around, a lot has changed with the Police.

First of all, non lethal weapons have been introduced into Saints Row 2, mostly for use by the police, the officers will now have Pepper Spray, Tasers, Batons etc. to be used when a crime occurs. The civilians and pedestrians are also more wary of crimes now, and whenever the protagonist is seen committing a crime, the person will immediately call the police up. The police comes over and the chase to nab the criminal begins, however if one manages to out smart the police before their arrival, the chances are bright that their criminal record will not be mingled with (ie no action will be taken)

Seeing as how Ultor is the official gang of Stiwater, it is also known that whenever any crime is conducted on the grounds of areas controlled by Ultor themselves, the Police department (even though it is owned by Ultor) leaves the matter to Ultor’s private security force for further persuasion. The police also is capable to respond to the protagonist or other criminals with all methods of transportation and maneuvering, including the use of combat Helicopters.

There are five wanted levels in the land of Stilwater, used by the police department to identify the notoriety of a criminal and to take the appropriate action

Level 1

• This level occurs when the player usually does their first crime, or to say, when the player does the first crime that is reported to the police.
• When the player gets to the first level of notoriety, the police department comes out to try and arrest the criminal.
• Night Stick, Tasers, Batons and Pepper spray etc. are used to get the criminal under control and to allow the police officials to take him under arrest.
• The main objective is to trying to arrest the criminal, never does the police force use completely fatal methods of combat in their efforts, when you’re at level 1.

Level 2

• Level 2 is achieved when the player does a repeat offense in quick succession to his previous one and is noticed by the police department in doing so.
• As expected, the police’s search starts getting more and more aggressive over here, and they use all of their vehicular prowess, including their improved police cars, shiny new police bikes, and the helicopters, to look for the criminal protagonist.
• Once found, the protagonist is not expected to be spared by the police, and they use all the available means to arrest the protagonist or to severely wound him enough to arrest him. However, non-lethal arresting is their first priority.
• This is where the famous Human shields come to play, if the player decides to hold a hostage and have them escort the player to safety by playing the role of his shield, the police generally stops dead in their tracks.
• The police try to negotiate when a hostage is taken at this level.

Level 3

• A major offense, and there you have it, a level 3 of notoriety. The police means serious business now.
• The non lethal weapons are not used anymore when the player attains this level of notoriety, and instead AR-50 Assault rifles and Shotguns come into play.
• The police now insist on killing the protagonist entirely instead of giving him some hope in the form of a simple arrest. Gunfire is opened from all sides.
• Human shields aka Human hostages, are known to still hold some effect, however the effect wears off rather quickly at this level.
• Riot Vans, Police Squad Cars, SWAT Teams, SWAT Helicopters are now looking after the perpetrator of the crime for which the Level is caused.
• Roadblocks are set up throughout the scene of the crime to prevent the escape of the perpetrator. SWAT Teams are used for this.

Level 4

• The Bear APC is introduced into the attack by the police, it is one of the most fearsome combat vehicles available in the game, having a 360 degree rotatable machine gun and meaning serious business.
• With the power of police attacks growing, the Tornado attack helicopter with its vicious guns and its laser guided rockets, is introduced into the attack as well. Firing at the player at regular intervals. The only way to stop this beast is by using a heavy weapon such as an RPG launcher.
• The roadblocks and barricades are now manned and have officers armed with guns protecting them.
• The police doesn’t mean to forgive the perpetrator anymore, killing is the only option.

Level 5

• Comes into play when the player has broken all the bounds of crime that are possible, this is almost the point of no return, due to the massive amount of police and forces being deployed to kill the perpetrator upon sight.
• Guns go haywire, and shooting takes places like there is no tomorrow, same with the Tornado helicopter, who fires rather quickly now and appears to be in a bad mood.
• Say hello to the F.B.I. with their improved Combat SUV’s and AS-14 Hammer semi automatic assault shotguns.
• Shooting accuracy increases since FBI agents come over. The improved guns wreak havoc like nothing else does, and reinforcements arrive rather quickly, like a sea of stinging bees.

So there you go then, all about the police and their actions as you advance in notoriety. And keep in mind this is just ONE aspect of the game! Yet it has a lot of depth! Like I say always, I can’t wait to play the game already. After reviewing the police, I can’t wait to kick some SPD ass as well!

Keep on rolling!
Headbangster