The municipal guard is a city-controlled police force that has the main purpose of protecting the city's property and avoiding illicit actions, although they do not have the authority to take anyone under arrest.

They are generally seen searching street vendors for illegal merchandise, regulating traffic, giving off tickets for incorrect parking, and avoiding vandalism on city's property.

They have the main finality of 'protecting goods, services and city facilities, increasing overall quality of life of Rio de Janeiro's population'