Security is the division tasked with safeguarding fellow officers, civilians, their posting, and the wider Federation. The work they do can be against both external and internal threats. They conduct patrols, investigations, implement security clearances, put diplomatic protections in place, and help to respond in emergency situations. Their main focus is on ground combat, both in the use of close-quarters techniques and weaponry.
The scope of practice for these officers is very diverse. Aboard ships or starbases they can patrol decks, maintain order, guard prisoners, manage armouries, and respond to threats. On away missions they can provide an armed escort, and if high-profile visitors are aboard, they can provide additional protection. A lot of their work goes into crime prevention and conducting investigations should crimes occur. They are also in charge of organising drills and test runs to ensure the emergency preparedness of the crew.
Brig Officers manage the ship’s brig – that being their equivalent of a jail. Their job is to oversee anyone detained there, be those hostile aliens or disobedient crew. They guard these people not only for the safety of others, but to make sure the prisoners themselves are safe too, being in charge of their wellbeing while they are detained. They maintain security protocols for the brig and supervise the secure transfer of any prisoners.
Civilian Liaisons are a bridge between Starfleet Security and civilians – people not in Starfleet. They assist in any instances where people outside of the fleet are involved; for example, if there is an assault or protests on a Starfleet posting but where civilians live. They provide communication between Security and the civilians in question, gather information, explain procedures, and provide support and guidance to those involved.
These are specialists who work to reduce crime by educating both crew and civilians, advising on security, analysing crime trends aboard their posting, and developing strategies to prevent crime before it happens. Rather than focusing on responding to crime they work to prevent it through environmental changes and public awareness. They may work to educate at-risk groups, such as children showing poor behaviour, to steer them away from going into crime.
These Security officers are highly trained specialists who use communication and psychological skills to de-escalate dangerous situations. This can be in scenarios such as hostage-takings, barricaded suspects, or threats to the life of the offender or another person. They work towards a peaceful resolution by building a rapport and influencing the subject to surrender, using techniques like active listening, relating to emotions, and problem solving.
Detectives specialise in investigating serious crimes. They gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build cases for prosecution. Their main goal is to uncover the truth of what has occurred, bring the person responsible to justice, and provide closure for victims. They use a range of skills such as digital forensics and analytical ability to solve complex cases, and can also work undercover to build evidence.
Patrol officers are in charge of going around their posting, be that a starbase or ship, to ensure that everything is safe and that no illicit actions are occurring. They work to uphold regulations and prevent illegal activities and maintain order. They are often the first on scene when something goes wrong and are tasked with responding to calls for help, apprehending suspects, and assisting detectives in criminal investigations.
While phaser specialists in Tactical can work between space and ground combat, those in Security are entirely focused on the ground aspect. In downtime they work on the maintenance of phasers and rifles, and then in the field they use these tactically. They are highly trained in using this weaponry in emergency situations, such as to defend other officers while under attack or take down a threat from a distance.
These officers are in charge of protecting people and their posting by monitoring and managing security measures. They can operate and observe through surveillance equipment such as CCTV cameras and alarms, monitor airlocks and entry points for who has entered and exited, and monitor computing systems to see who has accessed sensitive data. Some of these officers also enforce security policies and manage security incidents and breaches.