The mounted police brigade

The mounted police brigade plays an important role in urban and rural areas, it helps to increase security and improve communication with the population.

Summary:

• Missions
• Horse care
• Equipment
• Joining the mounted brigade

It intervenes in several events: 

During demonstrations and protests, it must fight against excesses and violent movements. Its role is to preserve security and avoid potential dangers for the population such as crowd movements. The brigade has the advantage of better managing and supervising the crowd with the help of horses. They also have better visibility to detect conflictual events due to their elevated position.

The horses are trained to handle gatherings and subsequent incidents and have a deterrent role. This is why they intervene during official ceremonies, when personalities or political figures are present. Or during sporting events to monitor supporters and prevent riots.

In order to preserve public safety, the mounted police monitors most tourist locations during summer vacation periods. It fights against delinquent behavior, assaults and thefts. The horse is fast and agile to act in the face of this type of situation. The brigade has even developed a technique to be able to handcuff delinquents without dismounting from the horse.

The brigade also acts in favor of environmental protection. It protects wild and fragile areas, as well as national parks. It raises awareness among people not to throw their waste in inappropriate places while patrolling. Poaching and fishing in protected areas are also sanctioned by the authorities. This is why the horse is suitable and allows access to places where vehicles cannot go.

In addition to their missions, maintaining the horses is essential to ensure their good health. The horses are raised to be efficient in the field and in good shape. 

The horse is prepared for any potentially dangerous situation, such as explosions, use of smoke bombs, etc. and it is trained not to be afraid of riots and crowd movements.

The mounted brigade uniform is not different from that of a police officer from another service. These police officers spend all day outside and the weather can vary the outfit. They have several protections such as a helmet to protect themselves in case of a fall and their uniform consists of a blue polo shirt, a fleece, a coat if necessary and navy blue pants.

It can also vary depending on the events. If it's for a demonstration, they are protected by armor, helmets, and the horse is equipped with a visor. A patrol in a city or in nature justifies a lighter outfit. The horse has rubber shoes to prevent slipping in urban areas and its saddle is made of synthetic material for greater lightness.

With or without a diploma, you can join the mounted police brigade. 

If you have a high school diploma, you must first pass the external competitive exam for police officer to then gain access to the profession.

 If you cannot obtain a diploma, you have the possibility of becoming a security assistant and then taking an internal competitive exam for police officer and becoming a member of the mounted police.

Above all, you must be passionate about horseback riding and have an equestrian level of Galop 5, issued by the French Equestrian Federation.

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