The CRS (Republican Security Companies) are part of a specialized body of the National Police. It’s about mobile units who ensure the general security and participate in maintenance or restoration of public order. They are created on December 8, 1944 speak General de Gaulle following the dissolution of the Mobile Reserve Groups, which had been set up under the Vichy regime.
In 1947, the torch emblem, commonly known as the flamme CRS, is painted by Francois d’Albignac. She is still today the symbol of the CRS corps. She is the embodiment of light of God, of the promise of eternal life, but also some souvenir. The flame is surrounded by oak and laurel leaves which represent strength and command.
The CRS are for devise “To serve“. As the general reserve of the National Police, they must also respond to a availability and mobility obligation.
Missions
Their field of intervention is centered around the maintenance or restoration of public order and general security, but they take part in many other police missions such as:
– From road safety missions : CRS are often sent along the various roads in their sector in order to ensure compliance with the highway code.
– From police missions on major roads : the CRS ensure the surveillance of the highways, and in particular of the free highways which allow motorists to bypass large urban areas.
– From rescue missions at sea : they ensure compliance with safety instructions and provide assistance to people.
– From mountain rescue missions : the CRS provide high-altitude rescue with the high mountain gendarmes. A relay is often set up between these two security services.
– From protection missions for people and property : during social, sporting or cultural events, the CRS ensure the maintenance of order and its restoration if necessary. They thus ensure the safety of goods and people.
– From counter-terrorism missions : CRS take part in the fight against terrorism and intelligence.
– From rescue missions to people : during serious events, such as terrorist acts, natural disasters or large-scale killings, the CRS intervene to rescue the victims and secure the premises.
– From education and prevention missions : road safety awareness campaigns. Some CRS also go to leisure centers in order to prevent and fight against delinquency.
– From security missions : fight against delinquency and urban violence. They work with the DCSP (Central Directorate of Public Security) and take part in objectives set by the State.
– From monitoring missions of communication channels with foreign countries : ensures the surveillance of ports, airports, but also borders in collaboration with the DCPAF (Central Directorate of Border Police).
– Escort and protection missions : they ensure the security of the highest personalities of the State and ensure that of official residences, but also of embassies abroad.
Unlike the mobile gendarmes, the CRS do not live in the barracks. During long journeys, they must nevertheless cohabit in cantonments. So that the CRS can be operational during these particular operations, the logistics and administrative services support them.
Training
To join a CRS, you have to be part of the National Police. There are two competitions, that of peacekeeper and that of police officer:
– The Peacekeeper Contest is accessible to candidates aged 17 to 35 with BAC level or equivalent. It is divided into three phases, a eligibility phase, a pre-admission phase and an phase d’admission. These are trials written, oral, physical, and evaluations psychological profile as well as interviews with motivation of each candidate. The candidates who pass the competition are integrated into a higher school of the National Police. The apprenticeship lasts 12 months and three weeks are devoted to the profession of CRS.
– The Police Officer competition is accessible to candidates aged 17 to 35 with BAC + 3 level or equivalent. It has the same phases that the competition of Policeman. The winners are then trained during 18 months within the higher school of the National Police. The training alternates between internships in the police academy and active service. After six months, each candidate is appointed trainee police lieutenant for one year.
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