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Starfleet Security is an agency of the Starfleet in the science fiction universe of Star Trek. Starfleet Security is first introduced in the original Star Trek (TOS) with the USS Enterprise's compliment of security guards, many of whom meet quick deaths over the course of several episodes.
In the first Star Trek spinoff, The Next Generation (TNG), several Starfleet Security members are main characters: Worf and Tasha Yar. Starfleet Security has also been part of the plot of several Pocket Books novels and has been discussed in numerous Star Trek technicial manuals. The most recent Star Trek incarnation, Star Trek Enterprise, deals with the origins of Starfleet Security with the weapons and tactical personnel of the Earth Starfleet.
Earth Starfleet
Enterprise portrays Earth Starfleet, a predecessor to the Starfleet Security, with weapons and uniforms appropriate to that period in the Star Trek Universe. At that point, the show portrays Starfleet as having no ground combat force, with such personnel suppied by other agencies, such as MACO.
Federation Starfleet
Star Trek: The Original Series (23rd century)
Most of Starfleet Security was assigned as security guards onboard Starfleet vessels and space stations. In the 23rd century (the time period in which TOS is set), Starfleet Security had become an established part of the Starfleet, although none of the main characters on that show were members.
Starfleet Security characters would frequently enter a dangerous situation together with the main characters and be killed, demonstrating the hazardousness of the situation and creating dramatic tension. The divisional uniform color of Security personnel was red, leading to the phrase "redshirt" to denote an expendable character in a work of fiction (and especially science fiction).
The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine (24th century)
On the shows set in the 24th century, Starfleet Security members had bigger roles, with Tasha Yar and Worf being recurring characters on The Next Generation. Some plots centered on these characters.
In the 24th century Star Trek fictional universe, Starfleet Security officers apparently had an entirely separate career path from regular (or "Line") Starfleet personnel (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine). By the time frame of the 24th century, Starfleet Security was also the primary source of Federation ground troops and the Starfleet Security chain of command included several division and brigade sized formations capable of assaulting a planet (Star Trek Deep Space Nine, "Homefront"). Starfleet Security is also one of the few non-command career fields in which it is capable to rise to the rank of full admiral.
Starfeet Security and other agencies
Starfleet Security often works jointly with Starfleet Intelligence (TNG: "The Pegasus") and the Federation Marine Corps (novelisation of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country). In the 23rd century, the civilian equivalent of Starfleet Security was known as "Federation Security", seen briefly in the film Star Trek III and appearing to be some type of CIA equivalent orgaization.
Starfleet Security has also been influenced by Section 31 over its years of existence. At least one member of the former Earth Starfleet was a member of Section 31 and Section 31 has been suspected of being involved with the Khitomer conspiracy as well as the illegal cloaking device development onboard the USS Pegasus.
Notable personnel
- Malcolm Reed: Armaments officer for the NX-1 Enterprise, in charge on onboard security
- Lieutenant Leslie: Career security guard onboard the USS Enteprise (NCC-1701)
- Pavel Chekov: According to numerous Pocket Books novels, in between his tour as Navigator onboard the Enterprise, and Executive Officer of the USS Reliant, Chekov served as Security Chief of the Enterprise with most of this service as a Lieutenant Commander in the non-canon (but much assumed) second five year voyoage of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) circa 2373 and 2378.
- Worf: Security Chief onboard the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)
- Tasha Yar: Worf's predecessor, killed in the line of the duty
- Michael Eddington: Starfleet security defector
- Admiral Raner: Head of Starfleet Security (TNG: "The Pegasus") and implicated in wrongdoing during the cloaking device incident.
References
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- Pocket Books, Star Trek Original Series novel "Bloodthirst": A Star trek novel written entirely from the perspective of a Starfleet Security guard
- Klingon Covert Operations Manual, published 1987
- Starfleet Dynamics, published 1991