The dreaded reputation points system is an option that most forum owners choose not to use since it can be very badly abused. The most recent incarnation of
vB....Xenforo....does have the ability to notice abuse on the reputation system,
vB does not.
There are preset levels of naughty (ie breaking rules, bad language etc ), the more times you get naughty reputation, the closer you tend to be suspended, if you continue to be naughty you get a specific length ban (often 24 to 48 hours depending on the site owner)....if after that ban you continue to be naughty, you get a full and permanent ban. You can set it to moderators and admins only able to apply the naughty points....however....
The problem is if someone (ie a normal member) does not like you, they can apply naughty points if the system allows them to do so....personality clashes, argumentative behaviour type thing.
Most sites do not use it due to it being contentious and exceptionally easy to abuse (when admin/builder of forums using both
vB and Xenforo I always disabled the function....adds to moderators workload too much since they have to deal with the abusive aspects, namely members complaints of personal attack by other member(s) by virtue of the attacking member disliking them personally rather than for the content of the posts.
It is not a popular add on function for moderators or admin....and anyone who is singled out for naughty rep bullying.