Police Nationale France Police Patch Blanc T Shirthe National Police (French: Police nationale), formerly known as the Sret nationale, is one of two national police forces of France, the other being the National Gendarmerie. The National Police is the country's main civil law enforcement agency, with primary jurisdiction in cities and large towns. By contrast, the National Gendarmerie has primary jurisdiction in smaller towns, as well as in rural and border areas.