National Gendarmerie

Early history of the institution The Gendarmerie is the direct descendant of the Maréchaussée ("Marshalcy") of the ancien regime. The Constable of France. The military policing responsibilities of the Marshal of France were delegated to the ''Marshal's provost'', whose force was known as the Marshalcy because its authority ultimately derived from the Marshal. The Marshalcy dates back to the Hundred Years' War, with some historians tracing it back to the early 12th century. The second organisation, the Constabulary (), was under the comm connar and of the Constable of France. The constabulary was regularised as a military body in 1337. On the eve of the 1789 French Revolution, the Maréchaussée numbered 3,660 men divided into small brigades (a "brigade" in this context being a squad of ten to twenty men). Their limited numbers and scattered deployment rendered the ineffective in controlling the "Great Fear" of July through August, 1789. The Revolutionary Period During the revolutionary period, the commanders generally placed themselves under the local constitutional authorities. Despite their connection with the king, they were therefore perceived as a force favoring the reforms of the French National Assembly. As a result, the was not disbanded but simply renamed as the . Its personnel remained unchanged, and the functions of the force remained much as before. However, from this point, the gendarmerie, unlike the , became a fully militarized force. During the revolutionary period, the main force responsible for policing was the National Guard. Although the had been the main police force of the ancien regime, the gendarmerie was initially a full-time auxiliary to the National Guard militia. In 1901, the was established to train its officers. Battle honours Five battles are remembered on the flag of the Gendarmerie: • Battle of Hondschoote (1793): Four hundred gendarmes of the 32nd Division (equivalent of a regiment under the Revolution) engaged in battle on the left wing of the army. They seized enemy artillery positions and lost 117 men. • Villodrigo (1812): The 1st legion of Gendarmerie on horseback, belonging to the Brigade of Cavalry of the Army of the North, clashed with the British cavalry on 23 October 1812. Charging with sabres, they penetrated enemy lines killing 250 and taking 85 prisoners. Colonel Béteille, commanding the brigade, received twelve sabre cuts, but he survived. • Taguin (1843): Thirty gendarmes on horseback were mobilised to take part in tracking the tribe of the emir Abd-El-Kader and participated in his capture. In a painting by Horace Vernet, which immortalises the scene and hangs in the Musée de Versailles, the gendarmes appear alongside the Algerian Governor-General, Henri d'Orléans, duc d'Aumale. • Sevastopol (1855): Two infantry battalions of the Regiment of Gendarmerie of the Imperial Guard participated in taking the city. The 1st battalion seized a strategic position that contributed towards the final victory. A total of 153 Gendarmes fell during this siege. • Indo-China (1945/1954): Three legions of infantrymen from the Republican Guard (3000 men) were formed at the end of 1946. Charged with the formation of the Cochin China Civil Guard, they assumed security roles and patrolled the borders, suffering heavy losses: 680 were killed or went missing and 1,500 were wounded. The National Gendarmerie is still sometimes referred to as the (being the old name for the service). The gendarmes are also occasionally called , which is a slang term derived from an 18th-century Hungarian word for "frontier guards." The symbol of the gendarmerie is a stylized grenade, which is also worn by the Italian Carabinieri and the Grenadier Guards in Britain. The budget in 2008 was approximately 7.7 billion euros. The equivalent Dutch force, Royal Marechaussee, uses officially the old French term—which King William I, when assuming power after the fall of Napoleon, considered preferable to "gendarmerie". ==Missions==

is part of the National Gendarmerie and provides security as guards of honour during official ceremonies. In French, the term "police" not only refers to the forces, but also to the general concept of "maintenance of law and order" (policing). The Gendarmerie's missions spans three categories: • Administrative police (), upholding public order, safety checks and traffic controls, assistance to people in imminent danger, protection duties, etc. • Judicial police (), handling penal law enforcement and investigation of crimes and felonies • Military and defense missions, including military police for the armed forces These missions include: • The policing of the countryside, rivers, coastal areas, and small towns with populations under 20,000, that are outside of the jurisdiction of the French National Police. The Gendarmerie's area of responsibility represents approx. 95% of the French territory and 50% of the population of France • Criminal investigations under the supervision of the judiciary • Maintaining law and order in public gatherings and demonstrations, including crowd control and other security activities • Maritime policing • Security of airports, civil nuclear sites and military installations • Provision of military police services to the French military—on French territory as well as during foreign operations (OPEX, for () • For the Republican Guard (Garde républicaine—which is part of the Gendarmerie), participation in the state's protocol and ceremonies ==Organization==

The Gendarmerie, while remaining part of the French armed forces, has been attached to the Ministry of the Interior since 2009. Criminal investigations are run under the supervision of prosecutors or investigating magistrates. Gendarmerie members generally operate in uniform, and, only occasionally, in plainclothes. Director-General The Director-general of the Gendarmerie (DGGN) is appointed by the Council of Ministers, with the rank of Général d'Armée. The current Director-General is Général Hubert Bonneau who took office on October 31, 2024. The Director-General organizes the operation of the Gendarmerie at two levels: • At the operational level. The DGGN is in charge of plans, operations, procurement, training and support of the forces in the field. • In an advisory position for government in all matters pertaining to the Gendarmerie. Directorate-General The Gendarmerie headquarters, called the Directorate-General of the National Gendarmerie ( (DGGN))), long located in downtown Paris, relocated in 2012 to the southern suburb of Issy-les-Moulineaux. The Directorate-General of the national gendarmerie includes: The above-mentioned organizations report directly to the Director General (DGGN) with the exception of the Republican Guard, which reports to the Île-de-France region. Departmental Gendarmerie The Departmental Gendarmerie (), also named «La Blanche» (The White), is the most numerous part of the Gendarmerie, is in charge of policing small towns and rural areas. Its territorial divisions are based on the administrative divisions of France, particularly the departments from which the Departmental Gendarmerie derives its name. The Departmental Gendarmerie carries out the general public order duties in municipalities with a population of up to 20,000 citizens. When that limit is exceeded, the jurisdiction over the municipality is turned over to the National Police. It is divided into 13 metropolitan regions (including Corsica), themselves divided into (one for each of the 100 , thus the name), themselves divided into (one for each of the 342 arrondissements). It maintains gendarmerie brigades throughout the rural parts of the territory. There are two kind of brigades: • Large autonomous territorial brigades (BTAs) • Brigade groups composed of smaller brigades supervised by a larger one (COBs). In addition, it has specialised units: • Research units, who conduct criminal investigations when their difficulty exceeds the abilities of the territorial units • Surveillance and intervention platoons (PSIGs), who conduct roving patrols and reinforce local units as needed. • Specialized brigades for prevention of juvenile delinquency • Highway patrol units. • Mountain units, specialised in surveillance and search and rescue operations, as well as inquiries in mountainous areas In addition, the Gendarmerie runs a national criminal police institute () specializing in supporting local units for difficult investigations. The research units may be called into action by the judiciary even within cities (i.e. in the National Police's area of responsibility). As an example, the Paris research section of the Gendarmerie was in charge of the investigations into the vote-rigging allegations in the 5th district of Paris (see corruption scandals in the Paris region). Gendarmes normally operate in uniform. They may operate in plainclothes only for specific missions and with their supervisors' authorisation. Mobile Gendarmerie The Mobile Gendarmerie (), also named La Jaune ("The Yellow"), is organized in seven Regions of the Mobile Gendarmerie (one for each of the seven military regions of metropolitan France, called (). It comprises 18 (Groupings) featuring 109 squadrons for a total of approx. 11,300 personnel. Its main responsibilities are: • crowd and riot control • general security in support of the Departmental Gendarmerie • military and defense missions • missions that require large amounts of personnel (Vigipirate counter-terrorism patrols, searches in the countryside, etc.) Nearly 20% of the Mobile Gendarmerie squadrons are permanently deployed on a rotational basis in the French overseas territories. Other units deploy occasionally abroad alongside French troops engaged in military operations (called external operations or OPEX). The civilian tasks of the mobile gendarmerie are similar to those of the police units known as (CRS), for which they are often mistaken. Easy ways to distinguish them include: • the uniform of the CRS is dark blue, the mobile gendarmerie are clad in black jackets and dark blue trousers; • the CRS wear a big red CRS patch; the gendarmes' patches have stylised grenades. • the helmet of the mobile gendarmerie is blue. The CRS helmet is black with two yellow stripes The Mobile Gendarmerie includes (GBGM), an armoured group of seven squadrons equipped with the Berliet VXB-170 armored personnel carrier, known in the Gendarmerie as the (VBRG, "Gendarmerie armoured wheeled vehicle"). It is based at Versailles-Satory. The unit also specializes in CBRN defense. Republican Guard The Republican Guard is a ceremonial unit based in Paris. Their missions include: • It provides protection and ceremonial guard for the President of The Republic, the Prime Minister, their official residencies and both chambers of the French Parliament. • Guarding important public buildings in Paris such as the Élysée Palace, Hôtel Matignon, the Senate, the National Assembly, the Hall of Justice, and keeping public order in Paris. • Honour and security services for the highest national personalities and important foreign guests; • Support of other law enforcement forces (with intervention groups, or horseback patrols); • Staffing horseback patrol stations, particularly for the forests of the Île-de-France region Overseas Gendarmerie The non-metropolitan branches include units serving in the French overseas and territories (such as the Gendarmerie of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon), staff at the disposal of independent States for technical co-operation, Germany, security guards in French embassies and consulates abroad. Specialized Gendarmerie branches Air Gendarmerie The Air Gendarmerie () is placed under the dual supervision of the Gendarmerie and the Air Force, it fulfills police and security missions in the air bases, and goes on the site of an accident involving military aircraft. It is directly subordinated to the Ministry of Armed Forces and plays a major role in the security chain of the nuclear devices. The main mission of this specific branch is to secure the government's control over all the nuclear forces and weapons. The security of the civil nuclear powerplants and research establishments is provided by specialized units of the Departmental Gendarmerie. More specifically, the gendarmes of this unit are responsible for ensuring the protection and the readiness of the different kinds of missiles used by the French Navy and Air Force. In order to do so, the GSAN is composed of its own units and of units from other branches of the gendarmerie, temporary placed under its command like squadrons of the Mobile Gendarmerie to protect the convoys of nuclear weapons components. For instance, a special security platoon can be deployed on board of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to secure the nuclear weapons carried on the ship. Provost Gendarmerie The Provost Gendarmerie (), created in 2013, is the military police of the French Army deployed outside metropolitan France. The functions of military police for the French Army on French soil are fulfilled by units of the Departmental Gendarmerie. National Gendarmerie Intervention Group GIGN () is one of the two premier counter-terror formations in France. Its counterpart within the National Police is the RAID. Operatives from both formations make up the protective detail of the French President (the GSPR). Its missions include counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, surveillance of national threats, protection of government officials and targeting of organized crime. GIGN was established in 1974 following the Munich massacre. Created initially as a relatively small police tactical unit specialized in sensitive hostage situations, it has since grown into a larger and more diversified force of nearly 400 members. Many of its missions are classified, and members are not allowed to be publicly photographed. Since its formation, GIGN has been involved in over 1,800 missions and rescued more than 600 hostages, making it one of the most experienced counter-terrorism units in the world. The unit came into prominence following its successful assault on a hijacked Air France flight at Marseille Marignane airport in December 1994. ==Foreign service==

Gendarmerie units have served in : • Syria • Lebanon • Algeria • Kosovo (within MSU) • Rwanda • Ivory Coast • Bosnia-Herzegovina • Haiti • Central Africa • North Macedonia • Afghanistan ==Uniforms==

(CCE) uniform in Gendarmerie use The uniform of the Gendarmerie has undergone many changes since the establishment of the corps. Throughout most of the 19th century a wide bicorne was worn with a dark blue coat or tunic. Trousers were light blue. White aiguillettes were a distinguishing feature. In 1905 the bicorne was replaced by a dark blue kepi with white braiding, which had increasingly been worn as a service headdress. A silver crested helmet with plume, modelled on that of the French cuirassiers, was adopted as a parade headdress until 1914. Following World War I a relatively simple uniform was adopted for the Gendarmerie, although traditional features such as the multiple-cord aiguillette and the dark blue/light blue colour combination were retained. Since 2006 a more casual "relaxed uniform" has been authorised for ordinary duties (see photograph below). The kepi however continues in use for dress occasions. Special items of clothing and equipment are issued for the various functions required of the Gendarmerie. The cavalry and infantry of the Republican Guard retain historic ceremonial uniforms dating from the 19th century. Gallery Image:Renault Mégane IV Gendarmerie, tribunal de Strasbourg 2018 (1).jpg|Renault Mégane with the new gendarmerie colors Image:Peugeot Expert III, gendarmerie nationale, Avia Eckartswiller.jpg|Peugeot Traveller used by the Gendarmerie in 2019 File:Alpine A110 Gendarmerie.jpg|Alpine A110 operated by the ERI File:Yamaha TDM 900, Gendarmerie nationale, 2015.jpg|Gendarmerie's motorcycle File:Air Transport Gendarmerie Bastille Day 2013 Paris t110557.jpg|Air Transport Gendarmerie Bastille Day 2013 Paris File:Manifestation taxis Parlement européen Strasbourg 24 octobre 2013 40.jpg|gendarmerie Mobile File:StAstier - GD.jpg|Some gendarmes mobiles equipped with shields and gas mask File:Gendarmes mobiles, match Racing-Eintracht Francfort à Strasbourg (22 août 2019) - 1.jpg ==Ranks==

As of 31 December 2018, the National Gendarmerie consisted of approx. 98,000 personnel units. Career gendarmes are either commissioned or non-commissioned officers. The lower ranks consist of auxiliary gendarmes on limited-time/term contracts. The 102,269 personnel of the National Gendarmerie is divided into: (two more squadrons were created in late 2023) ; Special formations • 5 cavalry squadrons and 10 infantry companies of Republican Guard; • 40 brigades of gendarmerie for air transports and research sections (BGTA); • 8 Protection Units; • 19 Air sections and detachments; • 18 gendarmerie armament units. ; Other units • 3 673 personnel overseas posts; • 74 brigades and postes of the maritime gendarmerie; • 54 brigades of Air Gendarmerie; • 23 schools and Instruction Centers. Prospective Centre The Gendarmerie nationale's Prospective Centre (CPGN), which was created in 1998 by an ordinance of the Minister for Defence, is one of the gendarmerie's answers to officials' willingness to modernise the State. Under the direct authority of the general director of the gendarmerie, it is located in Penthièvre barracks on Avenue Delcassé in Paris and managed by Mr Frédéric LENICA, (assisted by a general secretary, Colonel LAPPRAND) "maître des requêtes" in the Conseil d'Etat. ==Equipment==

Cars used by the Gendarmerie The National Gendarmerie uses varieties of different European cars in the fleet, such as the Renault Megane, Peugeot Partner, Renault Scénic, Ford Ranger, Peugeot 5008, and the Škoda Kodiaq. The design of Gendarmerie cars are blue cars with white stripes on the side. and chevrons on the front and rear of the car. With the word "GENDARMERIE" on both sides of the car. Armoured vehicles tank and a VXB-170 Berliet at Satory Camp, station of the Armoured Grouping of the Mobile Gendarmerie The first armoured unit of the National Gendarmerie was formed in 1933, in Satory, the special grouping of Mobile Republican guard. This special grouping took part in the Battle of France, among the 3rd Armoured Division as the 45th Tank Bataillon. Other units were formed after World War II, equipped with various vehicles such as the M4 Sherman, M3 Stuart or M24 Chaffee, In 2023, the multipurpose gendarmerie intervention vehicle, nicknamed Centaur, is the new main combat system of the Versailles Armoured Grouping. Armoured units and their equipment were used in overseas operations such as the Opération Licorne, the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia and Afghanistan. • Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil: 26 machines (surveillance/intervention) • Eurocopter EC135: 15 machines (surveillance/intervention) • Eurocopter EC-145: 15 machines (rescue/intervention) Gallery File:Helicopter rescue sancy takeoff.jpg|AS350 Écureuil File:Eurocopter EC-135 T2+.jpg|EC-135 File:Eurocopter EC 145, France - Gendarmerie JP6591482.jpg|EC-145 , French service weapon (police, gendarmerie, prison administration and customs) with PROPRIETE DE L'ETAT ("property of the State") engraved on the slide Weapons Firearms Less-lethal weapons == See also ==