You use an IRC client such as mIRC to connect to an IRC server. Yes, if you have a server, you will get IRC Op privileges. There are many myths about IRC operators and what they can and cannot do. You can check out this very detailed list , but here are some quick facts. IRC Operators cannot op someone else on a channel.
Police stop criminal or illegal activity.
And because IRC is over international borders, it's sometimes confusing whose laws are followed. A good site for reference on The Law and The Net is EFF . Luckily, being an IRC Operator won't kill you. Being an IRC Operator may seem glamorous, but it's really not. You spend hours enforcing rules on your own server and answering user questions.