Deal in the open and you will meet the police fast. The Schedule I police system is one of the most punishing mechanics in the game for new players — not because it is unfair, but because it operates on rules most players never stop to learn. This Schedule I police guide covers the full wanted system, from what generates heat in the first place to the exact tactics that consistently drop a five-star pursuit down to nothing. If you have not covered the basics yet, start with the Schedule I beginner’s guide before going deeper here.
How Heat Works in Schedule I
Heat is a progressive threat level that builds based on your visibility, location, and behaviour. It does not spike to maximum instantly — it escalates through five tiers, with each tier increasing patrol density, officer type, and search radius. The key mechanic most players miss early on: heat does not reset the moment officers lose visual. A cooldown timer only begins once you are genuinely outside the search radius and out of line-of-sight. Being two steps behind a wall while a patrol unit stands 30 metres away does nothing.
Heat is generated by a mix of player actions and environmental factors. Understanding which triggers matter most will let you stay operational longer between forced retreats.
The 5-Level Wanted System
Each heat level changes what is coming after you. The jump from tier 2 to tier 3 is where most runs fall apart — the response shifts from manageable to overwhelming quickly.
| Heat Level | What Triggers It | Patrol Density | Search Radius | Officer Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Star | Suspicious activity, NPC report | Low — single nearby foot patrol | ~50m | Beat cops, low aggression |
| 2-Star | Caught dealing, contraband spotted | Moderate — 2–3 units dispatched | ~100m | Patrol cars and foot officers |
| 3-Star | Multiple witnesses, fleeing officers | High — active coordinated pursuit | ~200m | Multiple patrol cars, aerial sweep |
| 4-Star | Assault on officers, major bust | Very high — roadblocks possible | ~350m | Armed response, helicopter |
| 5-Star | Sustained resistance, repeated violations | Maximum — all routes covered | ~500m | Full response, helicopter, rapid pursuit |
At 1 and 2 stars, distance and cover resolve the situation. At 3 stars and above, you need a plan before the heat hits — not while officers are already on top of you.
What Triggers Heat
Five sources drive the majority of heat generation in Schedule I:
Dealing in the open. Any transaction spotted by an NPC or patrol unit is the fastest path to heat. NPCs report immediately after witnessing a deal, adding a 1–2 star penalty within seconds. Commercial districts and parks are the worst environments for open dealing because NPC density is highest there.
Curfew violations. The 11PM–4AM curfew window applies a multiplier to heat generation. The 10% price bonus is real, but any triggering activity during curfew escalates one full tier faster than the same action during daytime hours.
Carrying large quantities. Moving through populated areas with a full inventory increases the probability of a search stop. Officers who initiate a stop and find product immediately push heat to 2 stars regardless of your prior clean status.
Running from low-level stops. A 1-star stop becomes a 3-star pursuit the moment you sprint away. Standing your ground at 1–2 stars and attempting to bribe (see below) is often safer than running.
High-risk locations. Some areas generate heat faster due to heavier patrol coverage. The commercial district and town square have the densest patrols. Industrial zones and the waterfront are significantly calmer. For a full breakdown of patrol patterns by zone, see the Schedule I map guide.
Evasion Tactics That Actually Work
The Line-of-Sight Mechanic
Schedule I uses strict line-of-sight for pursuit detection. Officers must have an unobstructed view to maintain aggression and prevent the cooldown timer from starting. Break that line and the timer begins. The practical rules:
- Duck behind buildings, dumpsters, parked vehicles, and solid fences
- Use alleyways to break visual while keeping forward movement toward the edge of the search radius
- Dense vegetation and hedgerows work at 1–2 stars. At 4 stars and above, the helicopter removes ground cover as a reliable mechanic
- Corner geometry matters — hugging walls tightly around corners drops visual faster than running straight
The most common mistake: ducking into cover but staying within the search radius. The timer does not start until you are outside the radius and out of sight simultaneously. Both conditions must be met.
Reliable Hiding Spots by Area
A few consistent locations stand out:
Industrial zone. Large container stacks create natural corridors that block sight lines from multiple angles. Once inside a container gap, patrol units cannot follow without entering the same narrow space — which they rarely do at 1–3 stars. This is the strongest general evasion area on the map.
Residential streets. High-fence gardens and garage areas provide fast cover with lower patrol density. Heat decay is quicker here at 1–2 stars because officer response times are slower.
Commercial district. Minimal hiding options. Alleyways between commercial buildings are your best bet, but patrol units converge faster here than anywhere else. If you are caught dealing in this district, prioritise distance over hiding.
Vehicle vs On-Foot Evasion
At 1–2 stars, a car is the most efficient evasion tool. Drive beyond the search radius, park out of sight, and wait. The heat timer runs while you are stationary and concealed. At 3 stars and above, police vehicles respond to yours directly and pursuit cars are faster than most player vehicles.
When heat reaches 3 stars, abandon the car before it becomes a tracker. Officers flag your vehicle and return to check it. On foot you are smaller, harder to pin down, and able to use interior spaces — storerooms, backyards, building interiors — that patrol vehicles cannot enter.
The optimal pattern at 3–4 stars: drive hard to reach the edge of the search radius, abandon the vehicle two blocks away from your hiding target, go on foot for the final cooldown. This combines the speed advantage of a car with the concealment advantages of foot movement.
How to Lose Wanted Level
Distance and time. The fundamental mechanic. Break line-of-sight and maintain position outside the search radius until the timer completes. At 1–2 stars, this takes approximately 30–45 seconds of sustained distance. At 3 stars, expect 60 seconds. At 4–5 stars, 90 seconds or more. The timer resets if officers re-establish visual at any point.
Avoid no-deal zones after heat drops. Once wanted level clears, police conduct increased patrols in the area where heat was originally generated — typically for 3–5 in-game minutes. Returning immediately and dealing in the same spot will spike heat again faster than the original incident. Move to a different district before resuming operations.
Bribing mechanics. At 1–2 stars with a single officer, Schedule I allows a bribe option. Approach the officer and offer payment to immediately clear your heat level. This does not work when multiple units are present, and it is completely locked out at 3 stars and above. Early-game, bribes are expensive relative to earnings — use this option selectively, primarily when caught carrying a high-value product load you cannot afford to lose to an arrest.
See also our guide to schedule multiplayer guide.
There is no exploit or shortcut to clearing 4–5 star heat other than sustained evasion. Players who try to stop and hide in place at maximum heat without first clearing the search radius simply extend the pursuit. Maximum distance first, cover second.
Curfew Enforcement: Risks and Rewards
The 11PM–4AM curfew window changes the risk calculation for every deal. The 10% price bonus applies to all transactions during curfew, which makes it the best window for large-quantity, high-value deals. The trade-off is significant: police patrol routes increase during curfew, officers initiate stops more aggressively, and any heat-generating activity escalates one tier faster than the same action during the day.
The practical result: behaviour that earns 1-star heat at 2PM earns 2-star heat at midnight. A minor dealing incident that you could walk away from during the day becomes a full car chase at night.
Curfew runs are worth it when:
- You are dealing large quantities in a single transaction (maximising the bonus per deal)
- You are operating in low-patrol areas (industrial zone, residential outskirts)
- You have an escape route pre-planned before the deal begins
Curfew runs are not worth it for small, frequent deals in busy areas — the heat escalation risk outweighs a 10% bonus on a small transaction. For more on optimising your deal strategy and product timing, see our Schedule I tips and tricks guide.
Safe Zones and Hot Spots by Map Area
Not all areas carry the same risk. Use this table to plan where you deal based on your current heat tolerance and product load:
| Area | Risk Level | Why | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial zone (east) | Low | Sparse patrols, heavy cover terrain | Large deals, stash storage, post-heat cooldown |
| Residential suburbs | Low–Medium | Moderate patrols, fast heat decay | Small and medium deals, safe transit |
| Town square | High | Dense NPC traffic, camera coverage, frequent patrols | Avoid — especially during curfew |
| Commercial district | High | Rapid patrol convergence, limited cover | Emergency transit only |
| Park areas | Medium | NPC density triggers reporting, random patrols | Daytime low-quantity deals only |
| Docklands / waterfront | Low–Medium | Infrequent patrols, open sight lines for early detection | Off-peak runs, medium quantities |
The industrial zone is the strongest safe area in the game for both dealing and cooling down after a high-heat incident. The town square and commercial district should be reserved for transit only — never deal there unless you have no other option and a fast vehicle waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does wanted level carry over between play sessions?
No. Heat resets on load. If a run goes wrong, exit and load back in to clear your wanted level before the next session.
Can you bribe officers at 3-star heat?
No. Bribing is locked to 1–2 stars with a single officer present. Multiple units or 3+ stars disable the option entirely.
Does the curfew heat penalty apply to all crimes?
Yes. Any activity that normally generates heat escalates one tier faster during curfew hours. This applies to dealing, carrying contraband, and fleeing stops.
How does the helicopter work at 4–5 stars?
The helicopter maintains a wide surveillance radius and removes terrain cover as a viable hiding mechanic. Buildings and solid structures still block visual, but vegetation and low cover become ineffective. At 4–5 stars, prioritise maximum distance using a vehicle before switching to foot evasion.
What is the fastest way to lose heat at 2 stars?
Bribe a single officer if you have the cash, or drive directly to the industrial zone and park behind a container stack. The combination of low patrol density and heavy cover makes heat decay there faster than anywhere else on the map.