As with most other police forces in the world, its duties include crime fighting, traffic control, maintaining public safety, and counter-terrorism.

[12] It is responsible for public security, maintaining public order, securing public events and rallies, dismantling suspicious objects and explosives (EOD), riot and crowd control, law enforcement, crime fighting, detective work, covert operations against drug networks, investigating suspects, road traffic control, operating the Civil Guard, handling civilian complaints, handling youth violence, educational campaigns.

Police volunteers are usually armed with an M1 Carbine, which they return to the armory after they finish their duty (they do not take the rifle home, but may sign one out for escorting field trips, etc.).

[31] A 2014 analysis by Yesh Din questioned the professionalism of the police force of the Judea and Samaria District (also known as the West Bank) as only 7.4% of reported attacks by Israeli citizens on Palestinian persons and property had led to indictments.

Five police officers at the rank of major general resigned in the preceding 18 months amid scandal.