The department covers ceremonial chamber roles, security roles, and logistical issues during committee meetings and estate management. Currently, the department is charged with both procedural and security duties that encompass the following:
- Chamber and Ceremonial Duties;The Sergeant-at-arms provides services to the Speaker, Clerk and plays an integral role in maintaining order and decorum in the chamber. The officers have authority to remove disorderly members from the house with instructions from the Speaker. Attendance register for the members is also maintained by the SAA. Ceremonial duties such as funerals for sitting MCAs, Governor’s address and swearing in of new members must progress under the watch and guidance of the Sergeant-at-arms.
- Estate Management and Housekeeping Services ;The department maintains the heritage of Assembly buildings, objects and documents for the benefit of future generations. They are further charged with ensuring cleanliness of offices, office furnishings and allocations to MCAs and staff.
- Protection of Life and Property/Security Mandate;Since security is paramount in the precincts of the Assembly, the SAA ensures that all offensive weapons legally brought in are securely kept and all visitors are thoroughly screened and issued with valid tags. The Assembly is also guarded round the clock by both contracted guards and law enforcement officers.
- Committee Support Services; The department supports committees through issuance of summons and invitations to appear before committees, allocation of committee rooms, provision of safety and security to legislators during committee visits, witness processing and crowd control during visits outside the assembly precincts.
- Maintenance of Order and Decorum and Coordination of Visits;The Sergeant-at-arms has an important role in connecting the public with the legislative assembly. Therefore visiting dignitaries, schools and other organized delegations are ushered in and facilitated by the sergeant at arms.
- Disaster preparedness and mitigation.
- Disseminate relevant information to members through notice boards.
- Maintaining custody of the mace
