The BPOL maintains these reserve forces to deal with major demonstrations, disturbances or emergencies, supplementing the capabilities of the State Operational Support Units.

Several highly trained detachments are available for crisis situations requiring armored cars, water cannon or other special equipment.

In addition, the Bundespolizei cooperates closely with German state executive authorities, such as prosecutor's offices (Staatsanwaltschaft) in pursuing criminal investigations.

The same day, Austria and other EU members who were part of the Schengen Area began to put in place their own border controls (again meant to be temporary) in response to Germany's actions.

Eight regional headquarters (BPOL-Direktion) control the BPOL stations that conduct rail police and border protection missions.

The force replaced allied military organisations such as the U.S. Constabulary then patrolling West Germany's borders.

The BGS was described as a mobile, lightly armed police force for border and internal security despite fears that it would be the nucleus of a new German army.

In 1972 the Compulsory border Protection Service was enacted by the parliament, which – in theory – is still in force, but suspended, similar to the conscription for the Bundeswehr.

Today, German police forces generally lease patrol cars from a manufacturer, usually for a period of three years.

Basic and advanced training is performed under the supervision of the Federal Police Academy at the Federal Police canine schools in Bleckede (Lower Saxony) and Neuendettelsau (Bavaria) where dogs and handlers go through patrol dog and explosive detection courses.