Homeworld Security Command

Homeworld Security Command was founded towards the end of the Clone Wars, as a measure designed to protect the denizens of the Galactic Republic against the Confederacy of Independent Systems. In reality, the Homeworld Security Command only increased the power of the government, and promoted the continuation of the conflict that was pulling the Republic apart.

Overview
Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's Homeworld Security Command comprised a large number of Senate committees and advisory councils. Organizations such as COMPOR (the Commission for the Protection of the Republic)—predecessor to COMPNOR—welcomed the new security measures, and even more stoic groups such as the Loyalist Committee were not immune to its effects. The average Coruscanti acclimated to the new measures quickly and easily; it was left to the few loyal members of the Senate to voice concerns about Palpatine's increasing power.

The new measures granted by Homeworld Security began with the Military Creation Act three years before the end of the Clone Wars, when the Chancellor was granted Emergency Powers to mobilize an Army of the Republic against the Confederacy. Since then, the government extended its reach, with new security measures ensuring safety from Count Dooku's forces, while simultaneously stifling any opposition from within the Republic.

Homeworld Security was allegedly justified through guerrilla and terrorist attacks carried out by the Confederacy of Independent Systems. The security measures involved the mobilization of emergency forces on Coruscant - such as the elite Clone shock troopers responsible for identity scanning and security checkpoints throughout Galactic City—and the installation of surveillance holocams in the Senate Rotunda. Most drastic was the extension of Palpatine's executive power, and the many amendments made to the Galactic Constitution, ostensibly to more effectively combat the Separatists.

While some citizens, such as Bail Organa, were frightened by Palpatine's increasing power and specifically Homeworld Security (somewhat of an extension of his office), most had no problems with it and seemed not to notice their decreasing freedoms.

In the end, Homeworld Security served as another stepping stone for Palpatine to achieve total galactic dominance. With shock troopers already compiling a list of possible traitorous Senators, and the citizens of Coruscant under watch by his officers, Palpatine declared the formation of a Galactic Empire. Dictatorship replaced democracy, and the measures introduced through Homeworld Security escalated until the galaxy was ruled by the iron fist of the Empire.

Behind the scenes
The name of the Homeworld Security Command comes directly from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a new department set up in the wake of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. Its purpose is to combat the terrorist threat. However, the Homeworld Security Command is perhaps more closely related to the Patriot Act, which gives far greater powers to U.S. Law Enforcement.

Appearances



 * Republic HoloNet News Core Edition 15:2:22
 * Labyrinth of Evil
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith novelization