NCJ Number
61863
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
CRIME PREVENTION ACTIVITIES OF THE FRENCH GENDARMERIE ARE DESCRIBED, EMPHASIZING ITS ROLE IN PROMOTING HIGHWAY SAFETY AND YOUTH AND SENIOR CITIZEN WELFARE.
Abstract
OVERALL, POLICE CRIME PREVENTION RESTS ON THE OMNIPRESENCE OF FORCES AMONG THE POPULATION ON A DAILY BASIS. CLOSE COVERAGE OF ALL TERRITORIES IS EMPHASIZED, WHICH PROVIDES THE GENDARMERIE WITH A NUMBER OF 'CELLS' IN CONTACT WITH THE POPULATION. SUCH COVERAGE IS ADAPTED TO ENVIRONMENT, NEW DEVELOPMENT IN MORALITY, AND NEW FORMS OF DELINQUENCY. IMPROVEMENTS ARE SOUGHT IN THE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY OF UNITS, MEANS OF INTERVENTION, VEHICLES, RADIO AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND SPECIAL UNITS FOR CONTROL AND INTERVENTION. THE GENDARMERIE PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN CREATING THE BEST POSSIBLE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS THROUGH (1) DRIVER EDUCATION FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS, (2) PATROLS AND FACILITIES ON THE HIGHWAYS, (3) COORDINATION OF TRAFFIC AND ACTIVITIES AT AN ACCIDENT SCENE TO PREVENT FURTHER ACCIDENTS, AND (4) INFORMING MOTORISTS OF TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. SPECIAL SQUADS HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO HANDLE SITUATIONS INVOLVING VIOLENCE AND INSANITY, HOSTAGES, PRISON RIOTS, AND HIJACKINGS. IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH MAYORS, SENIOR CITIZENS' ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHERS CONCERNED WITH THE WELFARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS, THE GENDARMERIE PARTICIPATED IN CONFERENCES INFORMING THE ELDERLY OF CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES AND IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONWIDE TELEGRAM SYSTEM FOR SENIOR CITIZENS. CRIME PREVENTION ACTIVITIES WITH YOUTH INCLUDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ON POLICE WORK AND DRUG ABUSE, THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG DRIVER AND CYCLIST ORGANIZATIONS, THE TRAINING OF SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO DEAL WITH DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR, AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING OF OFFICERS IN EACH AGENCY TO DEAL WITH YOUTH. NO REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (RCB)