FACT OF THE DAY Gendarmes and reservists, guardians of the Christmas spirit – Objectif Gard

On this Christmas holiday, not everyone sits down to eat as a family. The police, they must ensure the smooth running of the end of year celebrations.

Are they the guardian angels of the Christmas spirit? Certainly… In any case, they are humanists with a big heart even if their profession or their vocation does not always have this reputation. Women, men, individuals more or less old with more or less experience, active gendarmes but also reservists who come to give a helping hand more appreciated than ever.

Even if the heart is at the party, the time is for celestial tears. Morning of December 25, a fine rain falls on Bouillargues as on a good part of the Gard. But the droplets do not stop the population in its wanderings due to the nativity of Christ! Because Christmas is, for some Christians, much more than the consumerist universe of New Year’s Eve and the gifts offered by the bearded man dressed in red… Three gendarmes are positioned in front of the church who welcome believers.

For her first day as a reservist, Cindy, 27 and welcomed into the family of the gendarmerie only since November, is not there by chance. ” I have half the family in law enforcement, I wanted to go to police school but I became a mother. Since then, I felt useless during the Covid period so I thought the reserve was a good solution. »

The recruitment process is long, count nine months from the day the future reservist takes the first steps. For this first day, how is it going? ” I was summoned to the Bouillargues brigade but we are attached to the departmental group so we can criss-cross the Gard department. I recovered, before, my package with my uniform and all the rest. It’s my first time in the team continues Cindy.

Exceptional cohesion

Accompanied by another reservist who has been there since August, Michael, 35, Cindy forms a new duo headed by Warrant Officer Julen Barral, 46, including 26 in his career, third point who expands the new trio. For Michael, ” I was working in the catering industry, I had free time during the Covid period and since my father-in-law was a reservist and my grandfather was a gendarme, I decided to go for it and do at least the five mandatory days per year. »

Christmas is also the fear of blue on the roads as close to the festivities. More than the fear of the police, people appreciate the security they provide so that the population can spend pleasant moments. ” Having the reservists with us is very good, they are excellent seasonal reinforcements and we can count on them because they take the same risks as the active gendarmes. They agree to serve on their rest time to the detriment of their family and for France. It’s an exceptional social cohesion that happens under the uniform! adds Warrant Officer Barral.

On this December 25, the crew is present for a priority mission, that of securing the mass in the church of Saint Félix. A visible presence to reassure practicing Christians, an undeniable dissuasive tool for those who were thinking of something else. But is the message well understood? When we ask people if the presence of the Men in Blue is embarrassing, one word comes up, ” Nope. “For Marie-Louise, ” No, I prefer to know them and see them there, on the square, rather than in their barracks. You never know, we live in crazy times and some people could very well come and do anything here. We are not a target like the Vatican, but look at what happened elsewhere in France a few years ago and you will understand that the gendarmes are right to come here. »

For Warrant Officer Barral, ” The 25th is generally rather calm… But we are not immune to a catastrophe. In any case this morning we are not here to watch the wearing of masks, speeding or other things. This morning we are only watching over the smooth running of worship. Today’s mission started at 9 a.m. and will end at 7 p.m. Between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., mass is the priority. Between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., place for roadside checks! ” Reservists are on duty all weekend and can be called up all the time. Tomorrow, they will still be with me to go and check the establishments that receive the public. »

In theory, between Bouillargues and Bellegarde, 31 gendarmes work but the presence of these reservists delights everyone. A shy thank you, a small gesture of greeting, a crooked smile or a box of chocolate… The gendarmes are loved by their fellow citizens who easily understand the stakes of their hard job. ” They look young but I didn’t know they were part of the reserve! Notice, it doesn’t change anything, if they are part of it, it’s because they want to help us, to watch over us. I am grateful for this gesture, for this gift of self concludes Luke. Even if the outfits change the way people look at the gendarmes, whether active or reserve, the distinction is no longer relevant! Thanks to them for being who they are and doing what they do…

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