In Portugal, the Guarda Civil are cops in rural areas. I have no special insight into their training or hierarchy, but I can tell you that in practice they interact with the population like cops, not like soldiers. E.g. you wouldn't report shoplifting to the army, but you can report to the Guarda Civil.
So I don't think your comment makes any sense, at least in Portugal.
I haven't lived there in almost 15 years. I stand corrected. In fact I'm closer in time to having lived in Spain than in Portugal, that must be the origin of my confusion.
In any case, I hope you agree my description of the GNR was accurate in substance.
So I don't think your comment makes any sense, at least in Portugal.