The French RAID

Headnote

Anti-Crime Intervention Unit of the Police Nationale

The RAID unit, whose members are also known as the "Black Panthers" due to their insignia and black combat overalls and masks, has led the French Police in the tactical fight against serious crime and terrorism for more than 15 years. Although less known than its older counterpart, the Gendarmerie's GIGN, the RAID is currently considered one of the best trained and equipped of its kind in the world.

The rising number of serious violent crimes perpetrated in France in the mid '80s and the wave of terrorist attacks sweeping the country at that time showed clearly that the French National Police were not trained and equipped adequately to deal with these threats. New tactics were urgently needed.

While searching for the best methods to confront these problems, the French Police realized there was a need for a special tactical unit to be used in the fight against dangerous criminals and terrorists. Robert Broussard, a leading police officer and an expert on special operations, was given the task of studying the modus operandi of the various criminal and terrorist groups and developing the appropriate tactical and operational techniques to combat them. Relying on his police and military experience, Broussard devised a concept that dictated the creation of a new outfit characterized by flexible command and structure, special tactical training, skillful and professional operators with proper personal traits, and employment of special weapon systems and equipment.

Created in 1985 and headed by Broussard, the Research, Assistance, Intervention and Dissuasion Unit (RAID) was given the principal task of leading the National Police in tactical combat against serious crime and terrorism. As such it was allocated for the following missions:

1. Intervention in extreme criminal and terrorist attacks involving hijackings and hostage-takings.

2. Assisting other police and security agencies in dealing with violent criminal and terrorist organizations. This comprises, among other activities, conducting surveillances and handling dangerous arrests.

3. Assisting other law-enforcement agencies in securing large events of national and international importance (G7 summit, the Mondial Soccer Games, etc.).

4. Protection of French VIPs as well as foreign presidents and heads of states visiting France.

Structure and training

Currently, the RAID is 60 men strong, and its headquarters and main...