”Ensure public security,
Maintain order,
Enforce laws" Decree of May 20, 1902
The Regional Gendarmerie, sometimes called “la blanche” (the white) due to the colour of its insignia, covers almost the entire national territory.
With its strength of over 60,000 soldiers, it is organized into 22 regions, formerly called “legions”. The regions are subdivided into groups whose territorial jurisdiction covers a département (a French administrative unit).
The groups are in turn subdivided into companies, which are in charge of districts. The companies are made up of 3600 brigades, which are the basic units in each canton.
Being in direct and almost permanent contact with the population, the regional gendarmerie is a grass-root force that assists in ensuring public security by operating as an administrative police force within the framework of maintaining public order, by serving as a judiciary police force in criminal matters and various offences, and by executing military-related missions, such as training reserves and carrying out transfers.
In the day, the brigades are permanently open to receive the public, and at night, this role is played by the companies.
Services of the regional gendarmerie are in charge of keeping general watch over the national territory. These services have specialized units, which notably operate in the areas of search, road traffic, mountain activities and all air-related activities.
Gendarmes in Medina, Algeria
Source ECPAD
La gendarmerie reçue à la Grande Garenne
Photo de groupe avant le départ