The RSD was founded on 15 March 1933 as the "Führerschutzkommando" ("Führer protection command"; FSK) under the command of then SS-"Standartenführer" Johann Rattenhuber. His deputy was Peter Högl. Originally charged with protecting the Führer only while he was inside the borders of Bavaria, its members consisted of criminal-police detectives of the Bavarian police. Since the small group was made up of Bavarian police officers, they could only operate within the area of their authority. Hitler's protection outside Bavaria was already entrusted to an eight-member bodyguard known as the "SS-Begleitkommando des Führers", which was founded on 29 February 1932.