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I asked a question here and it got me thinking. Are Starfleet officers not prohibited from doing "crazy" stuff when they feel like it?
There is the Starfteet general orders but I wasn't able to find something that fit the situation from my previous question. ( I might be blind though ).
Starfleet officers are expected to uphold Starfleet's General Orders (those that cover the actions of officers when conducting their duties).
JANEWAY: The one that's made of binding principles. We have our own set of rules, which includes the Prime Directive. How many times have we been in the position of refusing to interfere when some kind of disaster threatened an alien culture. It's all very well to say we do it on the basis of an enlightened principle, but how does that feel to the aliens? I'm sure many of them think the Prime Directive is a lousy idea.
PARIS: Even we think so sometimes.
Starfleet officers are expected to adhere to (and uphold) Federation Law
NOG: As a Starfleet cadet, it's my duty to report any violation of Federation law to my superiors immediately. But then again, I haven't been sworn in yet. I'll take ten percent.
Starfleet officers are expected to comport themselves with the highest standards of decency and probity at all times, in a manner that befits a gentleman
JANEWAY: Lieutenant Thomas Eugene Paris. You are guilty of insubordination, unauthorised use of a spacecraft, reckless endangerment, and conduct unbecoming an officer. Do you have anything to say?
and
DATA: Perhaps it is best that I do not remember. I trust I did nothing unbecoming to a Starfleet officer?
Given that Starfleet is largely based on a mixture of US and UK Naval traditions, I think we can be reasonably sure that the concept of CUBO is very much similar.
Every Person subject to this Act who shall be guilty of any profane Oath, Cursing, Execration, Drunkenness, Uncleanness, or other scandalous Action in derogation of God's Honour and Corruption of good Manners, shall be dismissed from Her Majesty's Service with Disgrace, or suffer such other Punishment as is herein-after mentioned.
Every Officer subject to this Act who shall be guilty of Cruelty, or of any scandalous or fraudulent Conduct, shall be dismissed with Disgrace from Her Majesty's Service; and every Officer subject to this Act who shall be guilty of any other Conduct unbecoming the Character of an Officer shall be dismissed, with or without Disgrace, from Her Majesty's Service.
and
Conduct violative of this article is action or behavior in an official capacity which, in dishonoring or disgracing the person as an officer, seriously compromises the officer’s character as a gentleman, or action or behavior in an unofficial or private capacity which, in dishonoring or disgracing the officer personally, seriously compromises the person’s standing as an officer. There are certain moral attributes common to the ideal officer and the perfect gentleman, a lack of which is indicated by acts of dishonesty, unfair dealing, indecency, indecorum, lawlessness, injustice, or cruelty.
All Starfleet Officers are bound by the Prime Directive, also known as the Non-Interference Directive. This, as well as the other General Orders, prevents them from doing things such as interfere with the ongoing politics of another race unless said race is also a member of the Federation, attack a ship unprovoked or generally do anything that isn't explore, discover and observe. Any officer that breaks these directives without a supremely good reason is stripped of their rank, relieved from duty and probably discharged.
There are, of course, exceptions to the Prime Directive from time to time, but as mentioned, the excuse given to the Federation has to be a very good one for them to accept it.
