Commonwealth Security Service
| CSS | |
| File:CSS logo 2.png | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1863 |
| Jurisdiction | Home Office, Government of Arthurista |
| Headquarters | 4-9 Liberty Street, Loweport |
| Employees | Unknown |
| Annual budget | Not disclosed |
| Minister responsible |
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| Agency executive |
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| Website | https://www.css.gov.arth |
The Commonwealth Security Service is the domestic covert security agency of Arthurista. It was established during the Viceroy's War as the "Spycatchers' Office", charged with arresting, turning and otherwise neutralising intelligence operatives from the Ulthrannic Viceroyalty. Besides counterintelligence, the modern CSS's portfolio includes counter-proliferation, counter-terrorism and the monitoring of extremist political or religious groups which are deemed to have violent tendencies.
The CSS shares the domestic security task with the Special Branch offices of the various county and metropolitan police departments. The latter are charged with covert operations against human, drugs and arms trafficking, organised crime and other criminal activities deemed too mundane for the CSS, allowing the latter to concentrate its resources on matters which are vital to national security. The CSS also cooperates closely with the police during the course of its operations. Being a purely civilian service, they are not legally permitted to arrest any individual, merely gather evidence which would justify their arrest by the police forces. Where "kinetic capabilities" are required, they are typically provided by police Armed Response Units. Nevertheless, CSS personnel are occasionally issued with firearms where self-defence with deadly force is a likely scenario, and receive training in their use. The current standard issue weapon is the Walther PK380, gradually replacing the Walther PPK.
The CSS's motto is "Salus populi, suprema lex esto" - the safety of the people is the highest law.