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| French National Gendarmerie | |
|---|---|
| Name | French National Gendarmerie |
| Native name | Gendarmerie nationale |
| Founded | 1791 |
| Country | France |
| Type | National gendarmerie, military police |
| Role | Law enforcement, public safety, counterterrorism |
| Headquarters | Issy-les-Moulineaux |
| Anniversary | 14 July |
French National Gendarmerie The French National Gendarmerie is a uniformed military force charged with public safety, law enforcement, and civil order across Metropolitan France and overseas French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, Mayotte. It operates alongside the Police nationale and interfaces with institutions such as the Ministry of the Armed Forces, Ministry of the Interior, Conseil d'État, Cour de cassation. Its historical roots tie to the French Revolution, the Ancien Régime, the Département system, and reforms enacted during the Napoleonic Wars.
The Gendarmerie's lineage traces to royal bodies like the Maréchaussée and cardinal institutions such as the Maison du Roi, evolving through the French Revolution and the establishment of the First French Republic, the Consulate, and reforms under Napoleon I. During the Hundred Days, units were reorganized and later deployed in conflicts including the Crimean War, the Franco-Prussian War, and colonial campaigns in Algeria, Indochina, Tunisia, Morocco. In the 20th century the Gendarmerie served in both world wars—operating alongside the French Army, the Free French Forces, and interacting with the Vichy regime, the Provisional Government of the French Republic, and later NATO structures. Postwar modernization connected the Gendarmerie to institutions like the European Union, the United Nations, and counterterrorism frameworks spurred by events including the Charlie Hebdo shooting and the November 2015 Paris attacks.
The force is subordinated administratively to the Ministry of the Interior for internal security matters and operationally to the Ministry of the Armed Forces for defense roles, interacting with bodies such as the Élysée Palace, the French Parliament, the Conseil Constitutionnel. Its hierarchical model includes regional commands like the Île-de-France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Nouvelle-Aquitaine groupements, and specialized branches: the Garde républicaine, the Mobile Gendarmerie, the Gendarmerie départementale, the Gendarmerie maritime, and the Gendarmerie de l'Air. Operational coordination occurs with agencies such as the Direction générale de la Sécurité intérieure, the Direction générale de la Police nationale, the Service central du renseignement territorial, and international liaison units attached to missions like Operation Barkhane.
Mandates include policing in rural areas, highway patrol along routes such as the A6 autoroute, judicial policing in concert with the Parquet national financier, public order management at events like Bastille Day parades, and maritime safety in zones including the English Channel and the Mediterranean Sea. The Gendarmerie conducts criminal investigations alongside the Judicial police (France), counterterrorism work with units like the Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion and the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, crowd control with Mobile Gendarmerie squadrons at fixtures such as UEFA Euro matches, and search and rescue missions with the Sécurité civile and Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer.
Rank structures mirror military systems found in the French Army and include enlisted ranks through officer corps, with insignia conventions influenced by historical models such as the Napoleonic heraldry. Senior officers attain grades comparable to those in institutions like the École militaire and receive appointments approved by authorities including the Prime Minister of France and the President of the French Republic. Cadet progression aligns with schooling at establishments like the École des officiers de la Gendarmerie nationale and training pathways linked to academies such as the Collège interarmées de défense.
Standard issue small arms and materiel are consistent with procurements from manufacturers like Nexter Systems, Thales Group, Safran, and international suppliers such as FN Herstal. Vehicle fleets feature patrol cars from brands including Renault, Peugeot, Citroën, armored vehicles for Mobile Gendarmerie operations, and maritime assets in coordination with the Marine nationale. Aviation support consists of helicopters procured from firms like Eurocopter and surveillance platforms interoperable with agencies such as the Direction générale de l'Aviation civile.
Recruitment draws candidates through competitive selections advertised in outlets such as the Journal officiel de la République française and processed via institutions like the Service national universel pathways. Training occurs at establishments including the École des officiers de la Gendarmerie nationale, regional gendarmerie schools, and specialist centers that coordinate curricula with the Université de Lyon, the Université Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas, and NATO-accredited programs. Professional development covers legal frameworks from the Code pénal and the Code de procédure pénale, tactical instruction reflecting doctrines from the OTAN partners, and exchanges with forces like the Carabinieri, the Civil Guard (Spain), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The Gendarmerie contributes to multinational missions under mandates from the United Nations Security Council, the European Union Common Security and Defence Policy, and bilateral agreements with countries such as Mali, Lebanon, Haiti, and Romania. It deploys advisers to capacity-building programs in collaboration with entities like the International Criminal Police Organization and trains foreign services through partnerships with the African Union and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. Cooperation also encompasses participation in exercises such as Operation Sangaris and coordination with the European Gendarmerie Force.
Category:Law enforcement in France Category:Military units and formations of France