RAID deployed in Paris

The tragic events of the last days in Paris have also provided a better insight into the personal equipment of the French security forces. An area where units are reluctant to grant insight, but which cannot be avoided due to the omnipresence of the media. The present image shows an operator of the special unit RAID (Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion), a unit for support, intervention, and deterrence. The unit has a clearly defined field of activity, including the security of fixed facilities (such as nuclear power plants), mobile protection (such as protection of foreign dignitaries). However, the focus is on special situations. These include hostage situations on airplanes, trains or buses, but also in extraordinary structures such as the tunnel from Calais to Dover.

The image strongly demonstrates the connection in terms of the equipment of special units of Western nations. The operator is equipped with fire-resistant operational clothing, SK4 protective vest, the ballistic Ops-Core protective helmet, Peltor communication headset, and molded holsters.

In terms of protection, it is noticeable that the operator wears a pelvic protective cup to protect the pelvic artery and shoulder protection to protect the clavicular artery. This protection also involves protecting the abdomen. Especially in urban and rural terrain - due to the impact of oblique angles (e.g. from building roofs) - it has been shown that bullets have entered the chest cavity through this area, causing wounds that often result in death. Also noteworthy is the wearing of the Ops-Core helmet, as usually bulletproof helmets with visors are used. The Ops-Core helmet has the advantage of being very light and having a high level of protection, but the face and eye area is not protected - at least in this version.

The carrying of the firearms directly indicates that the operator is right-handed. But here too, the classic armament of Western units is visible. Heckler and Koch G36 C with Gladius System shoulder stock and EOTech reflex sight. The operator also carries the same firearms in civilian clothing in the foreground, indicating membership in the same unit. To his right is a government vehicle, indicating his role as a personal protector. Secondary weapons include versions of the Glock. The use of the Glock on the chest plate indicates that the operator was previously engaged in vehicle operations, where the use of a molded holster is inconvenient.

To clarify the use of the word "operator" as a description, it should be noted that RAID recruits from representatives of all state agencies, such as police, gendarmerie, and military. Therefore, the term "police officer" would be too vague. Psychologically very interesting is also the choice of the word "Dissuasion" (French for deterrence) in the name RAID, for a special unit.