| Marshal Guard | |
|---|---|
 Members of thecolor guard of the Straż on 1 July 2019. | |
| Active | 1947–Present |
| Country |  Poland |
| Allegiance | Polish Parliament |
| Type | Bodyguard |
| Role | Protective Security/Public Duties |
| Size | 171 (2019) |
| Part of | State Protection Service |
| Headquarters | Warsaw |
| Commanders | |
| Ceremonial chief | Marshal of the Sejm |
| Insignia | |
| Standard |  |
TheMarshal Guard (Polish:Straż Marszałkowska) is a security unit that serves as the protection of theMarshal of the Sejm of thePolish Parliament. It also ensures that the order is maintained in parliament and that parliamentarians have a calm environment to work in. Besides its security role, it also participates in ceremonialmilitary parades and official anniversary celebrations.[1]
The Guard was during the era of the monarchy under the authority of the Grand Marshal of the Crown and when the Sejm met in Lithuania, of the Marshals of theGrand Duchy of Lithuania. Then, there was a separate office from that of the Marshal of the Sejm, who was elected only for the duration of the proceedings. The regulations governing the safety of the Sejms and the responsibilities of the Marshal’s Guard were stated in various laws passed by Parliament called the “Marshal’s Articles”, which defined different types of offences and established penal sanctions for erring deputies.[2] In the second half of the 16th century, the guard consisted of soldiers from theHungarian Hajduk protecting theKing of Poland during the Sejm's deliberations, being subordinated to the then interior minister. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the basic tasks of the guard related to the king and the Seym were extended to exerciselaw enforcement activities throughoutWarsaw.[3] After the reactivation of the parliament in 1919, security during the deliberations was ensured by People's Militia. After theSecond World War, the modern guard was activated and began its work during the 1947 session of theSejm.
Today it effectively serves as a police force of the Parliament of Poland, responsible for the security of the deputies and senators as well as of the buildings of the legislative branch. Members of the Marshal's Guard are often seen in the front of the Sejm building guarding the plaque commemorating theMPs and senators who died in the2010 Polish Air Force Tu-154 crash inSmolensk.
The Straż currently follows the following unit structure:
On 11 March 2014, MarshalEwa Kopacz granted the Guard with its ownceremonial standard in line with the other public uniformed formations.[4] The duties of the Marshal's Guards were defined on 1 February 2018. From 1 February to 19 May, the guard were exclusive officers of the State Protection Service, however, in accordance with earlier Act, they did not have the status of an officer of SOP and remained employees of theChancellery of the Sejm.[5] In May 2018, the guard was granted the authority to use firearms andarmoured vehicles.[6] Since July 2018, the guard has used Hungarian-like ceremonialsabres. The guard joined theNational Independence Day parade at thePiłsudski Square inWarsaw for the first time on 11 November 2018, marking the centennial since the restoration ofPolish independence, this was the first time it joined a national celebration in its history.
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