Federal police officers volunteer to join COT - there is no obligation or any recruitment.

The selection is rigorous and requires high physical and mental fitness, assessed by a series of preliminary tests, in which about 60% of the candidates are eliminated.

Over the years, the COT adapted and evolved its training program based on the Brazilian reality; In addition to training common to the special operations units of other police in the world, COT has specific training to deal with operations against drug trafficking, terrorism and in biomes typical of Brazil, such as tropical forest, caatinga (desertic), marshland and cerrado.

The COT is also responsible for resolving cases of seizure of civil aircraft within Brazil, with or without hostages.

Since its inception, COT has never had a police officer killed in combat or any case of corruption among members of its staff.