How to become a cop
- Enter Looty Bay and choose copThe cop/criminal choice only exists in Looty Bay, and you make it each time you enter the city.
- Enlist at the Police StationIf there are open slots, enlist at the Looty Bay Police Station.
- Collect standard gear and a patrol carThe department issues standard gear and a patrol vehicle. On a fresh server, patrol cops get pistols only; better gear unlocks as the server ages.
- Earn and level your badgeFight crime and seize contraband to earn a paycheck. Levelling your badge, or buying badges since Nov 4, unlocks better equipment.
Sources: Official Dev post Patch
Playing as a cop
- Real players. Every cop is a person. In Kefir’s story, Looty Bay’s staffing shortage got so bad the department started hiring “anyone with a pulse”. Dev post
- Pay. Officers earn a cut of confiscated goods, money for arrests and, of course, bribes. Dev post Official
- Low risk, lower reward. Cops don’t risk their own equipment on shift but earn less than crooks. Dev post Dev post
- Backup calls. When officers are stretched thin, players get a call for backup. Those who answer get upgraded gear and a temporary pay boost. Official
- Asymmetric by design. Cops usually outnumber Criminals, respawn in Looty Bay and have fast rides. They dominate early, until Criminals earn serious firepower. Dev post
Badges and the Nov 4 cop changes
After the playtest Kefir rebalanced cops. The Nov 4 patch: Patch
- Longer cop respawn, with an extra delay after each consecutive death.
- Cops can now buy police badges. The selection depends on the district they live in.
- Far fewer badges from looting and cop salaries.
- On a fresh server, patrol cops get pistols only. Better gear unlocks as the server gets older.
Kefir’s stated goal is that cops stay a serious threat to most Criminals. No “PvE-style power fantasy” of one player mowing down whole squads. Dev post
Surrender or fight?
No mask, no risk to your stuff.
Dying masked costs your whole inventory.
Cornered? Surrender keeps your kit.
Needs money in the bank. The cop gets a payout.
The desert is lawless: death always means losing all your loot.
Low risk, lower pay. Respawn delay grows since Nov 4.
| Choice | Bag | Equipped gear |
|---|---|---|
| Fight and die | Lost | Lost |
| Surrender | Confiscated | Kept |
| Surrender and bribe (accepted) | Kept | Kept |
Sources: Official Official Official
Bribes
If you have money in the bank, you can offer the arresting cop a bribe. If they accept, you keep everything in your bag and the cop gets a solid payout. Official You need a bank account first. See bank & laundering.
Jail time and the Feds
Jail time is ROB RUN’s long-term score. At every weekly Federal Raid, your plots, bases, weapons and cash are wiped and converted into jail time and authority, and accumulated jail time carries over to the next cycle. Official The more wealth you hold when the wipe hits, the longer your prison sentence. Dev post Some goods in the Shipments tab unlock only once you’ve racked up enough jail time. Official
The Prison is also a location on the global map. Choosing “Surrender to Feds” there is how you switch servers. Official See switching servers.
Players report a sentence of 1 year plus 1 year per $500,000 of value, capped at 40 years, with tattoos unlocked by jail time. Kefir hasn’t confirmed these numbers. Players
Questions players ask
How do I become a cop in ROB RUN?
Enter Looty Bay, choose the cop role and, if there are open slots, enlist at the Looty Bay Police Station. You get standard gear and a patrol vehicle, and levelling up your badge unlocks better equipment.
Why can’t I join the police?
Enlisting needs an open slot at the Police Station. When slots are full, you can’t enlist until one frees up. Players on the forum report waiting for a slot at busy times.
What do cops lose when they die?
Only department-issued gear. A cop’s personal items and equipment stay untouched. Since Nov 4, cop respawn takes longer, with an extra delay after each consecutive death.
Should I surrender or fight the cops?
If you’re likely to lose, surrender. Cops confiscate only your bag and you keep your equipped gear. If you have money in the bank, you can offer a bribe; if the cop accepts, you keep everything.
What is jail time in ROB RUN?
At each weekly wipe, your plots, bases, weapons and cash are converted into jail time and authority. Jail time carries over between wipes and unlocks certain items. The richer you are at the wipe, the longer the sentence.
Evidence locker
Every tag on this page links to one of these. Official = Kefir help center or Steam store. Dev post = Kefir's Steam announcements and pinned posts. Patch = patch notes. Players = forum reports Kefir hasn't confirmed.
- Official How do I become a cop? Kefir help center ·
- Dev post Frequently Asked Questions Steam announcement ·
- Patch First Changes & Server Schedule Steam announcement ·
- Dev post Gameplay Overview Steam announcement ·
- Dev post Playtest News Steam announcement ·
- Official What do I lose when I die? Kefir help center ·
- Official Why surrender to the cops? Kefir help center ·
- Official Why pay a bribe? Kefir help center ·
- Official Can my money be stolen? Kefir help center ·
- Official What is the Federal Raid (Wipe)? Kefir help center ·
- Official How do I unlock new goods? Kefir help center ·
- Official Invite a friend who is on another server Kefir help center ·
- Players Community FAQ (robrun.info, fan site) robrun.info ·
Something wrong or outdated after a patch? The game changes weekly in Early Access. Check the official help center or our patch log.