[6] However the actions of the CSOs were praised by Brigadier George Norton, the Army's most senior soldier in Northern Ireland at the time.

The principal reason for NISGS' creation after the Good Friday Agreement was to place the guarding of MOD premises in the Province on a primarily civilian footing with military backup, as in mainland UK.

As of Feb 2021 CSOs of the Northern Ireland Security Guard Service are no longer sworn in as Special Constables and all prior members of the security guard service have had their SC (Special Constable) status removed under a formal review from 38X Bde known as the NISGS Optimization Project.

[9] Prior to the Masseerene Barracks incident NISGS CSOs were armed with the venerable L9A1 9mm Browning Hi-Power single-action automatic pistol, primarily and deliberately for self-defence.

This is a 5.56 mm calibre selective fire assault rifle, generally referred to as the 'SA80', and was the current standard UK military issue personal weapon at the time.