It was a militarized special police force, deployed to secure important facilities and buildings, to respond to riots, and to counter militant threats.

The name change was reverted to Gendarmerie in 2014, but the service did not regain its separate status and it remained a part of the Main Directorate of National Police (Главна дирекция "Национална полиция").

The plan had encountered serious criticism from within and the Ministry of the Interior, from political parties and security, public order and counter-terror experts, but was nevertheless executed.

[5] For riot duty the gendarmerie officers are equipped with Makarov 9x18 pistols, protective gear, gas grenades, police batons and non-lethal weapons and ammunition.

They also use water cannons for riots and demonstrations and a small number of Audi vehicles for special events, to secure VIP transit and to protect the transportation of large amounts of government money and gold.