Police Nationale facts for kids
The Police Nationale is France's main police force. It works to keep people safe and protect property across the country. Unlike the Gendarmerie Nationale, all officers in the Police Nationale are civilians, not military personnel.
This police force has many different departments, each with its own special jobs. In 2014, over 143,500 people were part of the Police Nationale.
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What the Police Nationale Does
The Police Nationale has many important jobs in France. Its main goal is to ensure the safety of people and their belongings. This is the core duty of every French police officer.
Like police forces in other countries, the Police Nationale also handles other tasks. These include fighting terrorism, managing large public gatherings or riots, and sometimes even performing search and rescue missions. They help people on French beaches and in the mountains, especially in the Alps.
How the Police Nationale is Organized
The main offices for the Police Nationale are located in Paris. The force is divided into several key branches.
The Sécurité Publique
The Sécurité Publique, which means "Public Security," handles most police duties across France. Every French department has its own office for this branch, including Corsica and France's overseas territories.
Most Sécurité Publique officers wear uniforms. However, some special units, called BAC (Brigade Anti-Criminalité), work in plain clothes. They focus on fighting crime.
The Police aux Frontières
The Police aux Frontières, or PAF, is the "Border Police." This branch of the Police Nationale works to stop illegal immigration.
You can find PAF officers at all French airports, major railway stations, and harbours. The PAF also helps keep the famous Channel Tunnel safe.
The Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité
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The Compagnie Républicaine de Sécurité, known as CRS, is a well-known part of the Police Nationale. It is France's main riot control unit.
The CRS also handles search and rescue operations on beaches and in mountains. In addition, CRS officers work to prevent crime on French motorways.
The Police Judiciaire
The Police Judiciaire, or PJ, is in charge of solving crimes. This branch conducts criminal investigations. It also includes the scientific police, who use science to help solve cases.
The Service de la Protection
The Service de la Protection, or SDLP, is the "Protection Service." This unit provides bodyguards for important officials.
The SDLP protects the heads of state of the French Republic. For example, in 2015, President of the French Republic François Hollande, French Prime minister Manuel Valls, and all other ministers were protected by SDLP officers. Some foreign ambassadors, like those from the United Kingdom, USA, or Israel, also receive SDLP protection when they are in France.
The RAID
RAID stands for Recherche, Assistance, Intervention, Dissuasion. It is the special operations unit of the Police Nationale.
RAID became famous in 1993 after handling a hostage-taking at a school in Neuilly-sur-Seine. Its members are highly trained, and almost all of them are snipers.
Police Vehicles
The Police Nationale uses many different vehicles. While they do not have their own helicopters, they have many cars, vans, motorbikes, boats, and other special vehicles. If police officers need a helicopter, they call the Sécurité Civile, which has red and yellow Eurocopter EC145 helicopters.
The cars used by the Police Nationale are made by companies like Citroën, Dacia, Ford, Peugeot, and Renault. Their motorbikes are from BMW and Yamaha.
Images for kids
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Colour guard of the General Directorate of the National Police, 2013 Bastille Day parade, Paris
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The SP 2022, which is the standard handgun used by French police officers today.
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A police team in Courbevoie responding to a call in 2020. The officers are carrying tasers.
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Police officers searching an area.
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Police officers searching an area.
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See also
In Spanish: Policía Nacional de Francia para niños
