The responsibilities of ship-to-ship and personnel combat are merged into a single department, the security & tactical department is responsible for the tactical readiness of the vessel and the security of the ship.

Background

The Starfleet Security agency is responsible for security aboard all Starfleet and some Federation outposts, vessels, and facilities. In this function, they act in ways analogous to local and regional police agencies, but Starfleet Security's mandate extends much farther than that. The agency is responsible for maintaining and enforcing Starfleet Security regulations, procedures and policies on all Starfleet and affiliated facilities, outposts, and vessels. In addition, this agency is responsible for security clearances of all Starfleet/UFP personnel.

The agency, in close cooperation with Starfleet Intelligence, is responsible for counter-intelligence operations. The agency is also responsible for the security of the Federation President, as well as members of the Federation Council and visiting alien dignitaries.

It is uncertain what relationship exists (if any) between Starfleet Security and the secretive and unofficial Federation agency Section 31.

Aboard Starfleet-run facilities and vessels, security was one of the most important divisions in the 23rd and 24th centuries, combining the armory and MACO functions of the 22nd century. Security personnel served functions both defensive and offensive, ranging from security patrols on board a starship, to guarding prisoners, to firing the ship's weapons, to providing protection during landing party/away team missions, and more. In the 24th century the officer in charge of security on a starship was given the title of Security Chief.

Roles & Positions Aboard the USS Black Hawk

Command

Chief Security/Tactical Officer - The Chief Security Officer is called Chief of Security. Her/his duty is to ensure the safety of ship and crew. Some take it as their personal duty to protect the Commanding Officer/Executive Officer on away teams. She/he is also responsible for people under arrest and the safety of guests, liked or not. S/he also is a department head and a member of the senior staff, responsible for all the crew members in her/his department and duty rosters. Security could be called the 24th century police force. The Chief of Security role can also be combined with the Chief Tactical Officer position, as it is on the Black Hawk.
Assistant Chief Security Officer - The Assistant Chief Security Officer is sometimes called Deputy of Security. S/he assists the Chief of Security in the daily work; in issues regarding Security and any administrative matters. If required the Deputy must be able to take command of the Security department.
Assistant Chief Tactical Officer - The Assistant Chief Tactical Officer is sometimes called Deputy of Tactical. S/he assists the Chief of Security/Tactical in the daily work; in issues regarding Tactical and any administrative matters. If required the Deputy must be able to take command of the Security & Tactical department.

Security

Assistant Chief Security Officer - The Assistant Chief Security Officer is sometimes called Deputy of Security. S/he assists the Chief of Security in the daily work; in issues regarding Security and any administrative matters. If required the Deputy must be able to take command of the Security department.
Security Officer - There are several Security Officers aboard each vessel. They are assigned to their duties by the Chief of Security and his/her Deputy and mostly guard sensitive areas, protect people, patrol, and handle other threats to the Federation.
Master-at-Arms - The Master-at-Arms trains and supervises Security crewmen in departmental operations, repairs, and protocols; maintains duty assignments for all Security personnel; supervises weapons locker access and firearm deployment; and is qualified to temporarily act as Chief of Security if so ordered. The Master-at-Arms reports to the Chief of Security.
Armory Officer
Armory Technician

Security Investigations Division

Senior Security Investigations Officer
Security Investigations Officer - The Security Investigations Officer is an Enlisted Officer. S/He fulfills the role of a special investigator or detective when dealing with Starfleet matters aboard ship or on a planet. Coordinates with the Chief Security Officer on all investigations as needed. The Security Investigations Officer reports to the Chief of Security.

Close Protection Division

Senior Close Protection Officer
Close Protection Officer - Close Protection Officers respond to unusual and emergency situations on site, use the appropriate levels of force under established protocols, including armed response. They learn all the requirements and use of protective equipment, restraint devices and weapons. they are taught how to control access to a site or facility and how to observe activities to provide for the security and safety of a client. They also learn how to check for irregularities and to inspect protection devices and fire control devices, as well as preserve order and what steps to take to enforce regulations and directives for the site pertaining to personnel, visitors, and premises. Their duties include patrols at sites on foot or in vehicle; check for unsafe conditions, hazards, unlocked doors, and security violations and how to control entrances and exits at a site or facility, the movement of people and vehicles, and parking. Teaching also included observing and reporting incidents or suspicious activity to client representatives, and responses to incidents of fire, medical emergency, bomb threat, flooding, water discharge, elevator emergency, hazardous materials, inclement weather, and other incidents.
VIP Bodyguard

Detention

Warden - The Warden, or Senior Brig Officer, is a Security Officer who has chosen to specialize in a specific role. S/he oversees the personnel who are assigned to watch the brig and its cells. But there are other duties associated with this post as well. S/he is responsible for any prisoner transport, and the questioning of prisoners and training Brig Officers.
Assistant Warden
Brig Officer / Detention Specialist - The Brig Officer is a Security Officer who has chosen to specialize in a specific role. S/he guards the brig and its cells. But there are other duties associated with this post as well. S/he is responsible for any prisoner transport, and the questioning of prisoners. Often Brig Officers have a good knowledge of forcefield technology, and are experts in escaping such confinements.

Tactical

Assistant Chief Tactical Officer - The Assistant Chief Tactical Officer is sometimes called Deputy of Tactical. S/he assists the Chief of Security/Tactical in the daily work; in issues regarding Tactical and any administrative matters. If required the Deputy must be able to take command of the Security & Tactical department.
Tactical Officer - The Tactical Officers are the vessels gunmen. They assist the Chief Tactical Officer by running and maintaining the numerous weapons systems aboard the ship/starbase, and analysis and tactical planning of current missions. Very often Tactical Officers are also trained in ground combat and small unit tactics.

Torpedo Bay

Torpedo Chief
Torpedo Officer
Torpedo Specialist

Phaser Arrays

Phaser Chief
Phaser Officer
Phaser Specialist

Sub Sections of Starfleet Security

Office of the Director - Consisting of the Starfleet Security Counsel and Board of Directors, this is the top tier of Starfleet Security. All Security related Decisions come through this Office. Commander, Starfleet Security, stationed on Earth, in San Francisco, runs division from Headquarters. Assistant Commander, Starfleet Security, stationed on earth when not on field duty (acts as the eyes and ears of the Security Commander in the field, relationship very much like that of a vessel CO and FO).
Administrative Services Division - Security Issues are channeled through Administrative Services on their way to the Office of the Director. Responsibilities of this division include determining which wing of Starfleet Security is best for handling a given situation, and channeling important information directly to the Head of Starfleet Security.
Internal Security Division - Investigates Potential threats to the Internal Security of the Federation/
Criminal Investigative Division - Under the direct authority of Internal Security and working with Starfleet Intelligence, Criminal Investigation identifies and monitors potential and known criminals for the purpose of determining who poses a threat against Starfleet and the Federation.
Criminal Justice Division - Works in conjunction with the Federation JAG to prosecute criminals.
Internal Affairs Division - Takes information on potential threats and uses it safeguard Starfleet Personnel. Works with Internal Inspection to investigate internal threats to the Federation.
Strategic Operations Command Division - Works with Starfleet Tactical to develop new methods for defending the Internal Security of the Federation.
Internal Inspection Division - Performs High Level Review of suspected spies and traitors within Starfleet. Works with Internal Affairs to Investigate internal threats to the Federation (Its believed that most Section 31 Agents had their start here).
Public Services Division - Acts as "Public Relations" Division for cases and situations of a nature sensitive enough to be kept from the general public.
Forensics Division - Works with Starfleet Medical and the Federation JAG to Investigate Criminal Activity from a scientific, medical, and legal standpoint.
Federation Security Division - Ensures that Security personnel are present on all Federation Starships, Installations, and Planets.

Training

Security forces provide basic police duties on ship, as well as protective duties to landing parties. Some Security personnel will take additional training as StarFleet Marines, but this is rare. Usually, Security officers minor in Com/Ops.

Only after they graduate in a major, my they go on to specialize in a field, if preferred.

Duties

Guarding Vital Areas

One of the primary duties of the Security department on board a starship or starbase is safeguarding vital areas that may be vulnerable to theft or sabotage, or that might draw intruders. Such areas include the bridge, main engineering, the central computer core, cargo bays containing valuable goods, the shuttlebays, and the brig. When the ship or station is not on alert, guards are routinely posted at security stations on the decks located near these vital areas, able to monitor the security scanners and respond quickly if there is a need.

For a yellow alert, security personnel are placed on guard at vital points throughout the ship. They may be given special orders regarding access to those facilities (such as allowing no one but the Captain and First Officer access). The security guards allow access to authorized crew members unless ordered otherwise. The Captain, First Officer, or Security Chief can also give certain crew members access privileges, as needed.

Under red alert, security guards are posted on all decks, as well as vital areas of the ship. If an intruder alert is sounded, security personnel guard all turbolifts and airlocks, and begin sweeping the ship for signs of intruders. Information is relayed back to the main computer and the Security Chief.

Standard procedure calls for at least one security guard on duty in the transporter room when unknown or potentially dangerous individuals transport on board. The transporter chief can hold such individuals in stasis in the pattern buffer if necessary to await the arrival of security, and transporter scanners automatically detect any dangerous weapons or other devices, and can render them inoperative before the subject rematerializes, making security's job easier.

Guarding the Captain

One of the prime duties of Security is safeguarding the commanding officer of a starship or station. The captain is considered a vital element of the ship, and treated accordingly. The captain should have a security escort at all times in red alert situations, and when beaming down into any situation that might become dangerous. The Security Chief and/or Operations Officer helps to safeguard the captain while on the bridge, but additional security personnel should be present if trouble is expected.

Part of safeguarding the captain involves performing security sweeps of areas before the captain enters or beams into them. Security personnel check for any potential hazards and ensure they are within reasonable limits before the captain arrives. The captain can, of course, override standard security procedures in these matters, but it is not recommended.

Away Team Procedures

Security personnel form a vital part of Away Team Missions and every away team is well-advised to have at least one security officer, more if the Away Mission is expected to encounter trouble (particularly armed resistance). In some cases, away teams may be made up entirely of Security (and Command) personnel. While on an Away Mission, the duties of the Security personnel include:

Remaining alert for any signs of danger to the crew or mission.
Safeguarding the lives of all away team members, particularly senior officers.
Gathering tactical and strategic information regarding any possible threats.
Taking necessary action to ensure the first three priorities, including the use of force, but only as a last resort.

While all Starfleet personnel on Away Missions are expected to remain alert, it is the security officer's duty to look out for potential threats to the Away Team. This includes the use of tricorder scans for hazards (both natural and artificial) and "reading" the reactions of any life-forms the crew may encounter. The security officer should make recommendations to the commanding officer of the Away Team with regards to appropriate security precautions.

It is important to note that Starfleet security officers are expected to take a defensive posture with regard to possible threats. Stunning (much less injuring) native life-forms "simply because they might pose a threat" is against Starfleet regulations. A strategic withdrawal is normally the most prudent response in a dangerous situation, followed by neutralizing the danger as quickly as possible, if a withdrawal is not an option.

Imprisonment

There are occasions when a Starfleet crew may find itself with prisoners: criminals they have apprehended, captured attackers, or even unknown aliens. In general, Starfleet crews are authorized to keep such individuals imprisoned until they can be turned over to the proper authorities, either of the planet or civilization that has jurisdiction, or to Federation authorities at a Starbase.

Each starship or station is generally equipped with a brig to hold prisoners. The brig consists of one or more cells equipped with force fields and a security station. On board larger ships and space stations brigs are capable of holding a number of prisoners. Smaller ships may only be able to hold a handful, while the smallest ships may not have a brig at all. Crews may resort to using guest or crew-quarters as makeshift cells by locking the door and posting guards (perhaps even reinforcing the door with a force field). Most brigs use force fields to prevent any chance of the prisoner escaping via transporter.

A starship crew is expected to turn any prisoners over to the proper authorities as soon as reasonably possible. The captain, of course, is the judge of what is "reasonable" in these situations. If the ship is already engaged in a mission, the prisoners may be held until that mission is complete and the ship has an opportunity to deal with them. More delicate political and diplomatic situations may require the crew to deal with their prisoners immediately.

Starfleet regulations require that prisoners be treated well, and that all of their life-support needs be met. In the case of non-Federation citizens, the crew should make every effort to contact the proper authorities of the prisoner's home world, although prisoners accused of crimes against Federation personnel or property should be held over while Federation authorities discuss matters of extradition with the prisoner's home civilization.