From the Movies
An elite security force assembled to protect members of the Galactic Senate, the Senate Guard were garbed in outdated yet symbolic blue robes and helmets. The stoic guards stood watch over the massive Senate rotunda on Coruscant, and its members could be found aboard almost all senatorial transports.
Under the rule of Chancellor Palpatine, the role of the Senate Guard was steadily marginalized. Palpatine installed his own elite guard, the red-robed Royal Guardsmen, for the protection of his office. With the spread of his clone forces that accompanied the transition from Republic to Empire, the Senate Guard grew largely redundant and were eventually phased out.
From the Expanded Universe
Senate Guards are cautiously selected from the most respected law enforcement agencies around the galaxy, and all candidates must be superb combatants who are dedicated to the Galactic Republic. The familiar blue armor of the Senate Guard has remained a trustworthy symbol of peace and security in and around Galactic City for thousands of years, offering protection to leaders and acting as a second police force. The Guard used military ranks; commanders typically head a small task force of 6 to 10 Guards. The leader of all Senate Guards is called the Captain of the Guard, who is answerable to a Senate committee. During the Separatist crisis that preceded the Clone Wars, the order was led by Captain of the Guard Jesra Loture.
Senate Guards are trained to deal in hard facts and forensic evidence when carrying out police investigations. This often puts them at odds with Jedi, who rely on less tangible methods. A Senate Guard investigation is characteristically meticulous, thorough, and successful. The Senate Guard have a fully equipped modern analysis lab to conduct investigations.
The long weapons the guards carry are largely ceremonial. When mission and security demands call for it, though, they can be outfitted with more practical weaponry.
Behind the Scenes
The Senate Guards developed for Episode I were based on the look of the Imperial Royal Guards seen in
Return of the Jedi. Concept artist Jay Shuster took the sinister, stark look of the faceless Royal Guard, and added humanity by cutting away at the faceplate, revealing the person within. The addition of a plumed crest atop the helmet gave it a classical look and a historical feel.
Initially, the Senate Guards were meant to be the literal predecessors of the Imperial Guards, but in Episode II, they are seen to be contemporaries. Freed from having to have the blue guards directly lead-in to the red, Costume Props Supervisor Ivo Coveney modified the design of the helmet for Episode III by removing the plume and filling in the faceplate with a dark visor.
