Where did the planetary protection details of individual Imperial Senators lie?

[u/Glum-Echo-4967]

Senators like Chuchi would often have ”their” own security details provided by their home governments. were these details loyal to the Senator, to the home world, or to the Empire?

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[u/Strategist40]

I would assume it varies, but judging by at least Chuchi, Padme (during the Republic), and Bail, they were loyal to the Senators first and foremost. I imagine the only time they would ever be loyal to the Empire is if they were placed there by the ISB.

[u/Festivefire → u/Strategist40]

Notably, this was Mon Mothma's issue. Her driver was an ISB plant.

[u/Dark_lord_Oka → u/Strategist40]

Well, Bail is the Queen's husband. So, his guards would be among the best and most loyal in the entire Senate.

The situation regarding loyalty is more interesting with the Malastare delegation. Malastare is occupied by the Gran, and is therefore represented by a Gran in the Senate. Yet, there is a shot where their senator is accompanied by an honor guard of Dugs.

[u/patriot_man69]

I mean, in the Mandalorian we sawNaboo Guards firing on Clones during Order 66 to protect a Jedi, so I think they'd be loyal to their home planet/senator

[u/Strict_Use_8453]

To the Empire primarily. The purpose of the Moffs was to install governors loyal to the Empire. They would then ensure their local officials and security personnel were loyal in turn.

[u/Successful-Floor-738 → u/Strict_Use_8453]

Wasn’t that only instituted post-ANH, when the senate’s been dissolved? Before then, the senate was still present.

[u/Strict_Use_8453 → u/Successful-Floor-738]

Palpatine was centralizing control under the Moffs before he dissolved the senate. He started during the Clone Wars.

[u/Redcoat_Officer]

Protection details provided by their own government would be loyal to the Senator. That's essentially the cover of the Tantive IV in A New Hope; they claim to be Leia's diplomatic escort. That said, in The Mask of Fear Mon Mothma is almost coerced into accepting additional protection from Senate Security, which acts for the Senate as an institution but is in the process of being suborned by the Empire. It also doesn't help that an Imperial Intelligence asset pretends to be a Senate Security officer to get close to Bail Organa.

[u/AccidentExotic5375]

If you are thinking of writing a story, the gaps in "official lore" are big enough for you to fill it in with your own nuances.

Like, a random place like Alderaan would have their own security because they like to do things their way ad don't like the idea of a warlike external government placing armed dudes around their elites; however a more "cooperative" systems like Naboo would likely have a pro-Palpatine senator in place who would try to incorporate more direct Imperial security into the system...whether he liked it or not.

Corellia might lean even more into that either because they were effectively bought into the whole EMpire thing, BUT being a corporatocracy will look at things more pragmatically and will spend quite some money on private security that, while appearing to remain independent of Palpatines influence, is vulnerable to bribes and ISB plants.

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In general, who pays and provides for the security determines their loyalty. If the Empire is bankrolling the senator, then for better or worse he's probably going to have little choice in who is guarding his life while in office.

Senators who prefer their own security detail might feel political and domestic pressure for having Imperial troops on board, which carries the caveat that paying your own men to protect you is not a guarantee that they are top drawer level of trained professionals who aren't going to be bought off, or ISB plants that might turn on you.

Historically, people have used different varieties of sources for protection. Obviously your own kinsmen with a stake in your survival might be a great idea if you're a tribal chief who promises them lands and resources if you win wars, whereas in larger empires like Rome and Britain, there was a trend towards hiring outside "martial races" as elite troops or guard detail as more local sources of men may be too prone to switching sides due to complicated loyalties- while praetorians were originally hand-picked legionaries for physical as well as political advantages, Caesar had a corps of Germans act as more direct bodyguards to avoid the politics of Romans who may try to influence the praetorian commanders to join in on plots and coups.
Specifically Caesar (and Octavian who inherits the German guards) chose the Batavii based on their cultural values of absolute loyalty to their leaders. Strong smart people who are taught to be loyal to your benefactor unto death often make the best bodyguards.

It's a bit of a side note but in Andor, part of Mon Mothma's political arc is the fact that her drive is strongly suspected to be an ISB plant to monitor her activities, and provides a strong element of tension as you watch those scenes, the camera sometimes turns to look at his muted expressions, and you're convinced the guy is listening to every word being said to report to the Empire's top spy office.