The Imperial security troopers of the Galactic Empire served as specialized Imperial Army soldiers who were deployed for law enforcement and security roles, tasked with being guards and sentries. Riot control and suppression was among the methods used by the security troopers to fulfill their responsibilities. Imperial security troopers and were also used to accompany Imperial officers, ISB Supervisors, and ISB Attendants as they discharged their duties in certain instances. As elite security troopers, the soldiers operated alongside Imperial stormtroopers and bolstered them if necessary. In addition, Imperial security troopers assisted in the arrests of suspects and control of an arrest scene, as well as aiding in interrogations by restraining suspects. If needed, security troopers could man computer systems within a command center.
Imperial security troopers don their armor and gear.
Imperial security troopers made use of light military vehicles, driving C-PH patrol speeder bikes and Imperial armored transport vehicles. Security troopers were outfitted with black utility fatigues, black boots, a utility belt, and a cap. When on armed duty, the troopers used E-11 medium blaster rifles, though non-lethal equipment such as stun batons, standard batons, and riot shields were used during crowd control and riot suppression operations. Imperial security troopers outfitted themselves with supplemental protection, which included black armor and a helmet similar to Imperial officer battle armor, as well as shin guards. Security troopers also used communication packs to coordinate with other Imperial forces.
During the Imperial takeover of the Morlani system following a botched ambush on Ferrix by Pre-Mor Authority Security Forces executing an arrest warrant on Cassian Jeron Andor, Imperial Security Bureau personnel were assisted by a detachment of Imperial officers and Imperial security troopers as the Corporate Security Headquarters was secured and items confiscated. The Imperial security troopers stood guard as these tasks were carried out by ISB Attendants and officers. Following the takeover, the Imperials began an occupation of Ferrix and established a garrison made up of stormtroopers and security troopers. As cleanup operations were taken to repair damaged buildings and guests were being evicted from Hotel Rix that was being established as the headquarters of the garrison's prefect, Captain Vanis Tigo, Imperial security troopers marched on patrol while others stood at overwatch in the hotel's balconies.
Imperial security troopers secure Repaak Salyard and assist Captain Tigo.
During the occupation, Imperial forces arrested Salman Paak and took control of the Repaak Salyard. The following day, security troopers were part of a detachment sent to establish a perimeter and assist stormtroopers in securing the yard as a crowd gathered. As Captain Tigo directed his forces, he recognized Bix Caleen, another suspect, and ordered his stormtroopers and security troopers to arrest her once she began to flee. Once Caleen was detained and brought the the hotel, security troopers placed her in the interrogation room after removing Paak. Afterwards, security troopers continued to assist the interrogation spearheaded by ISB Supervisor Lieutenant Dedra Meero and Dr. Gorst. Security troopers at the Ferrix hotel manned computer systems within the headquarter's command center while Captain Tigo and other officers briefed Lieutenant Meero on the situation on Ferrix as Maarva's funeral procession approached. Other troopers stood guard within the hotel and closed doors for superior officers.
An Imperial security trooper with a communications pack overlooks the procession on Rix Road.
On the day of the funeral, Imperial forces were caught off guard as the funeral began earlier than expected, and Imperial security troopers were rushed into outfitting themselves with their armor and riot gear, including batons and shields. As the Ferrix bell tower rang, musicians of the funeral process began warming up their instruments and the honor guard marched, while crowds began to assemble on the roads leading up to the Imperial headquarters at the hotel.
Armored Imperial security troopers and stormtroopers barricaded several pathways leading up to Rix Road to civilians, while a large body of Imperial security troopers moved on the hotel's flank with their shields. This main group was accompanied by Captain Tigo and Lieutenant Merzin Keysax, as well as a number of stormtroopers. Other security troopers and stormtroopers remained in the hotel's lobby where a lot of equipment was stored, as more Imperial units moved outside. The Ferrixian spy, Nurchi, revealed to ISB Attendant Corv the whereabouts of Cassian Jeron Andor, a person of high interest to the Empire as he was the connection to the master rebel strategist, "Axis." Corv feigned arresting Nurchi, and brought him inside the hotel's lobby as more security troopers rushed outside to confront the crowd that was assembling before them.
A security trooper guards the Imperial headquarters.
As the funeral procession reached Fountain Square on Rix Road and were near the hotel, the band switched music pieces and began playing "," signaling the crowd to move forward faster towards the assembled Imperial forces. Unarmored and unarmed security troopers, some with communication packs, held overwatch on several rooftops overlooking Rix Road, while Imperial security troopers on the perimeter pushed back and barricaded civilians in the small pathways. Imperial security troopers were placed in formation with a shield wall when the procession stopped, and Maarva's droid, B2EMO, activated his holoprojector to play Maarva's eulogy on her forthcoming death. Meanwhile, Nurchi was guarded inside by several Imperial security troopers, while Cassian infiltrated the hotel and killed an unarmored but armed security trooper as he attempted to rescue his friend Bix Caleen from Imperial custody.
In her speech, Maarva appealed to her fellow Ferrixians to fight the Empire after speaking on how complacent they have been in allowing the Empire's disease to spread around the galaxy and take control of Ferrix. Captain Tigo pushed his way past the security trooper shield wall to disrupt Maarva's final words to fight and pushed over B2EMO. This instigated a strong reaction from the crowd, and Captain Tigo was attacked. Imperial security troopers attempted to aid Captain Tigo and detain the attacker, Brasso, but were attacked by the crowd. With the situation now out of control, Lieutenant Keysax ordered the security troopers to go into their placements as Ferrixians began pushing against the shields and attack the Imperials. Some security troopers were incapacitated, while others struggled and beat back the protestors. The security troopers made an opening to allow Captain Tigo to crawl back behind the wall while a few Ferrixians were beat up and arrested. These protestors were brought to the hotel lobby while a few Imperials inside moved from the hotel to reinforce the security troopers outside.
Lieutenant Keysax led the security trooper formation.
With a full riot underway, Wilmon Paak, armed an improvised bomb and threw it over the security trooper defense wall, landing near the entrance of the hotel and near Imperial equipment. The explosion tore through the area, and caused secondary explosions from detonating grenades. These explosions incapacitated or killed the Imperial within the lobby of the hotel, including several security troopers. The main contingent of security troopers and Ferrixians were temporarily knocked down, including those on the outer perimeters. As Captain Tigo recuperated, he ordered his stormtroopers to fire at will and kill the rioters while security troopers continued to beat them and fight in close quarters combat. As a result of the ensuing massacre, the surviving Ferrixians retreated and the city fell into chaos.
Imperial security troopers first appeared in "Aldhani," the fourth episode of the first season of the live-action web-TV series Andor. The episode was released on September 28, 2022. The troopers were subsequently identified in the Databank on StarWars.com during the airing of the season.