PART 10 - POLICE FORCES OF THE WORLD

[Mervyn Mitton]

See intro. for add. info. we would like to add to these posts in the future.

This cap is the French KEPI and possibly on a par with the British helmet for instant recognition. The number is either a district or, area(Department) - however, it will be good to have some expert comment. The Kepi is also worn by the Belgium Gendarmerie.

Does the silver braid have any significance - i.e. for an N.C.O. or, officer ?

Edited June 30, 2010 by Mervyn Mitton

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Les-Art]

Hi Mervyn.

This is indeed French.

This is the Kepi of the Prefecture de Police PARIS, worn after 1968 and showing the new 'Police Nationale' cap badge.

The '19' badge indicates that the wearer is assigned to the 19th District of the city, this extra badge is ONLY used by the PP. Of note is the possibility that this badge has been added to a standard Police kepi to make it more appealing, as it is not properly centred under the larger badge. You can check this out by looking inside, if the badge attachments are visible, then it has been added.

The braid is significant on a Police or Gendarmerie Kepi to indicate rank, this one is the basic model used by the rank of 'Agent de Police' (policeman).

Regards,

Les

[Mervyn Mitton]

I am presuming that this next Kepi is also French - although I don't recognise the badge.What would the rank be with the extra gold braid ?

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Les-Art]

Hi Mervyn,

The second kepi is French as you mentioned and is from the other national police force of that country.

It is the Kepi of the GENDARMERIE MOBILE , one of the three major parts of the GENDARMERIE NATIONALE, the gold braid indicates that the wearer holds the rank of Gendarme.

The badge is a flaming grenade used in some form or another by most Gendarmerie forces around the world. The buttons have a different style of grenade.

Best Regards,

Les

[Mervyn Mitton]

Hi - Les. Haven't heard from you on the Forum for a while - I'll have to post more to keep you busy............

Thankyou for this additional info. - my only purpose in posting these hats is to build-up quality background. You are certainly helping. Mervyn

[speagle]

See intro. for add. info. we would like to add to these posts in the future.

This cap is the French KEPI and possibly on a par with the British helmet for instant recognition. The number is either a district or, area(Department) - however, it will be good to have some expert comment. The Kepi is also worn by the Belgium Gendarmerie.

Does the silver braid have any significance - i.e. for an N.C.O. or, officer ?

Hi Mervyn,

Thought this might be an interesting addition.

Edited August 14, 2010 by speagle

[Les-Art]

Hi Ed,

Your French Kepi badge is the type used by the Municipal Police across France before the use of the POLICE NATIONAL badge, the one with the outline of France inside a shield as shown on the first Kepi. So that would make it date before 1968.

It would be used on a Kepi similar to the Paris one shown, without the district badge.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Les

[speagle]

Hi Ed,

Your French Kepi badge is the type used by the Municipal Police across France before the use of the POLICE NATIONAL badge, the one with the outline of France inside a shield as shown on the first Kepi. So that would make it date before 1968.

It would be used on a Kepi similar to the Paris one shown, without the district badge.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Les

Thanks Les.

appreciate the info

Ed