the soldiers of kop were trained to combine the tactics of the army, police forces and border guards. they guarded the borders actively, not only by patrols, but also through reconnaissance, ambushes, provocation and intelligence gathering. during the first year of its existence, the kop arrested more than 5,000 people trying to cross the border illegally. in addition, 89 armed skirmishes were fought, mainly against the bandits from the soviet union. to maintain the high morale and skills, the soldiers allowed into the kop were carefully examined. most of them were inhabitants of western voivodships, many of them were of german nationality. all volunteers had to gather experience in the regular units of the polish army before they were allowed in.