Overview
- Authorities recorded 9,475 aggressions against gendarmes in 2024, including 5,463 physical assaults—2,428 involving a weapon—and 6,762 verbal attacks, 2,750 of which coincided with physical violence.
- Attacks involving firearms jumped 145% in 2024, while assaults using batons and vehicles rose and those using projectiles, knives or explosive/incendiary devices declined.
- The total aggressions increased 1.6% from 2023’s previous record and are up about 55% compared with 2015.
- Twenty-two people died following direct or indirect gendarmerie actions in 2024, including 12 after officers used their firearms during interventions.
- Unrest in New Caledonia drove part of the oversight caseload, with the BEJ logging 10 weapon-use procedures there—five fatal—and several inquiries continuing into 2025 with additional field work.