Sergeant at arms

Sergeant at arms, officer who preserves order in a legislative, judicial, or social organization. The sergeant at arms has the power to execute commands, such as serving legal papers, and to require the body's members to attend meetings. Anyone who disregards the sergeant at arms is guilty of contempt. Each house of the U.S. Congress has a sergeant at arms. The office of sergeant at arms is believed to have been instituted by Richard I of England.