French Gendarmerie
In France, the National Gendarmerie or Gendarmerie Nationale is the national police force.
It has a strength of 104,275 personnel, covering 66 million people nationally. Formed in 1793 it is much older than the British Police Services.
French Gendarmerie
The gens d’armes were originally heavy cavalry in the Kings household. The origins of the modern gendarmerie lie in 18th century France. This was a mounted police force organised and equipped along military lines.
While its existence ensured the relative safety of French rural districts and roads the marechaussee was regarded in contemporary England (which had no effective police force of any nature) as a symbol of foreign tyranny. In 1789, on the eve
While its existence ensured the relative safety of French rural districts and roads the marechaussee was regarded in contemporary England (which had no effective police force of any nature) as a symbol of foreign tyranny. In 1789, on the eve
of the French Revolution, the marechaussee numbered 3660 men divided into small detachments or brigades. By law dated 16th February 1791 the force was renamed gendarmerie nationale. Its personnel and role remained unchanged. Under Napoleon the numbers and responsibilities of the gendarmerie were significantly expanded.
The Gendarmerie Nationale is divided into the gendarmerie departmentale and the gendarmerie mobile, covering the rural areas of France.
The Gendarmerie Nationale is divided into the gendarmerie departmentale and the gendarmerie mobile, covering the rural areas of France.
