The JPSG is composed of delegations from the national parliaments of the member states (no more than four MPs and no more than two per chamber, with a possibility of transferring seats between the chambers of parliament) and from the European Parliament (no more than sixteen MEPs). Members of the JPSG are elected by the national parliaments, bearing in mind the necessity to ensure substance matter expertise as well as long-term continuity. They are usually representatives of the committees for internal affairs or security, EU affairs or human rights. The European Data Protection Supervisor, Chairperson of the Europol Management Board and its Executive Director appear before the JPSG at its request: the former to discuss protection of personal data with regard to Europol’s activities, the others to present Europol's activities and plans for a given semester.

While performing its tasks, the JPSG has the powers set out in Article 51 of the Europol Regulation, such as the right to receive certain categories of documents from Europol or to be consulted on Europol multiannual programme. Two members of the Group have the right to attend meetings of the Europol Management Board as observers (in accordance with the rules of procedure of the JPSG, they include a representative of the European Parliament and of the parliament of the Presidency state). In order to implement Article 52a of the amended Europol Regulation (amended by EU Regulation 2022/991), the JPSG established the Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights to support the group by providing independent advice on fundamental rights matters.

In principle, the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol adopts its decisions by consensus. In accordance with the rules of procedure, the Group may draw up summary conclusions on the outcome of its meetings relating to the political monitoring of Europol's activities. The European Parliament forwards the adopted conclusions, for information purposes, to the Council, the Commission and Europol.