This new police force consisted entirely of Minas Gerais locals, or "mineiros", who would be more passionate about protecting their own neighbors and lands. These new officers would also receive regular salaries from the treasury, in order to discourage taking bribes or deserting to pan and mine for gold. From the beginning of its existence, the regiment would engage in both normal police actions, like catching criminals, and military actions like putting down insurrections. Despite this, the regiment would not develop more military characteristics until after Brazilian Independence and the establishment of the Republic. With the help of Robert Drexler, a military advisor and colonel in the Swiss Army, the force would begin receiving full military training.