ORMO was often involved in political repression in Poland, including the unlawful arrest and beatings of peaceful protesters,[3][4][5] such as during the public demonstrations organized by Solidarity which opposed the communist government.

[7] The Volunteer Reserve of the Citizens' Militia (Ochotnicza Rezerwa Milicji Obywatelskiej or ORMO) was created on 21 February 1946 by the State National Council (KRN), a communist body under the auspices of the Polish Workers' Party (PPR).

[8][9] In the aftermath of World War II, the KRN was installed as the government of Poland with the military backing of the Soviet Union and needed to establish its authority.

The main, initial purpose of ORMO was to provide urgently needed reinforcements to People's Army of Poland, the Internal Security Corps and MO special forces during operations against the Polish anti-communist insurgency.

[9] After 1947, when communist authority in Poland had been consolidated, the activities of ORMO became more general and covert, shifting from repressing political opponents to monitoring the Polish public at large.

[9] ORMO infiltrated factories and conducted round-ups among shop owners, confiscated grain and meat from independent farmers, and took part in arresting them as the "enemies of the state" alongside the regular police.

[5][8][11] The success of the ORMO attack on universities in the wake of growing citizen discontent (see Polish 1970 protests) prompted the Ministry to begin massive expansion of its rank and file.

In this case, the ORMO formations were not used against striking workers because many of its volunteers had become demoralized by public resentment, with membership dropping dramatically.