Tactics, Training and Operational
Preparedness of Sergeant-At-Arms
New Skills For A Changing Service
Legislative Security Around the World
USA: Capitol Police
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Responsible to the Congress for
security and protection of the Capitol
District of Washington, D.C.
Protection Service for members of
Congress both in Washington and
when traveling
Separate organization from the DC
Metro Police or the FBI
Canada: RCMP Parliament Protective Service
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Answers to the leaders of the House and
Senate
Patrols the grounds of Parliament Hill
Monitors vehicle traffic flow
Provides assistance to House of
Commons and Senate security staff
Provides extra security for visiting heads
of state and VIPs
Monitors special events and celebrations
Israel: The Knesset Guard
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Responsible for the security of the
Knesset building and protection of
Knesset members
Additional ceremonial role (Parade
Duties)
Visiting Dignitary greeting and escort
duties
Separate from the IDF and City and
National Police
Japan: Guards at Parliament
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Reports to the National Assembly
Committee of Police Affairs
Police authority over the grounds of the
Diet
Dignitary Escort and Protection
Uniformed Service
Performs the traditional Sergeant At Arms
duties as well
These Services are representative of the
International Standard of Legislative Security
Organizations throughout the world.
The National Assembly’s
Sergeant At Arms Service: Today
• Duties and Capabilities
• Administrative Structure
• Personnel Strength and Composition
• Current Training and Doctrine
Toward a Transformed Service:
Proposed Sergeant At Arms Capabilities
• Physical Security of Main Campus and Satellite
Locations
• Including cyber security
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Improved Threat Detection and Assessment Capacity
Arrest and Detention Capability
Crowd Control Capability
Emergency Situation Response Capability
• Including limited tactical response
• Personal Security and Protection
Operational Procedures for a
New Sergeant At Arms Service
New procedures will require a new Organizational
Structure
• More “Police Force” like:
• Operational and Administrative divisions
• Patrol, Tactical Response, Protective Service, Intelligence,
Investigative, Training, Internal Affairs
• Proper arrest and detainment procedures
• Standing Operations Procedures (SOP) for each division
to standardise SAA operations
• Clear Chain of Command and Authority for the service
Operational Procedures for a
New Sergeant At Arms Service (cont)
• The new Sergeant At Arms should have some sort of
hierarchical rank structure as well
• Equivalent to Police Ranks (Chief, Commander, Patrol Officer,
etc.)
• Relationship to other Law Enforcement and Security
Agencies must be established through law or formal
agreement
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National Police
Military
Intelligence and Security Services
Jurisdiction, Mutual Support, Information Sharing, Cooperative
Activities
Training the New
Sergeant At Arms Service
The Service must develop personnel qualifications standards for general
acceptance and for specialised positions
• Mental, Physical, and Educational Standards
• Additional standards for specialised positions
• Tactical Response and Protective Divisions
• Intelligence Division
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Weapons Training
Crowd Control and Situation De-escalation Training
Doctrinal Training on the Role and Purpose of the New SAA
Arrest and Detainment Procedures Training
Training on giving proper testimony during Court proceedings
Respect for Civil Rights Training
Incident Reporting and Response Training
Training the New
Sergeant At Arms Service (cont)
• Specialised Training Programs
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Tactical Response Training
Emergency Situation Training
Negotiations Training
Specialised Driving Training (Protective Division)
Protective Detail Training
Intelligence Production Training
Sniper Training (Tactical Response Division)
Techniques and Tactics for the
New Sergeant At Arms
A foreword about techniques and tactics:
Techniques and tactics change over time as new threats emerge and new
countermeasures and technologies are developed. The most effective method for
ensuring mission accomplishment of the Sergeant At Arms is to maintain a
comprehensive and effective training program that incorporates new TTPs over time.
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Entry Control Point Techniques and Tactics
Campus Patrol Tactics
Personnel Search Techniques
Vehicle Search Techniques
Questions
Randell R. Torno, Lt. Col. (Ret) US Army
Principal Officer BeST Technical Solutions, LLC
Dallas, TX USA
randini101@icloud.com  +1 214 532 3207