The Association

The Association

FIEP is an international association of national gendarmeries and police forces with military status. It brings together institutions that share a particular security model: forces organized under military status, discipline and structure, while performing police, public security and law enforcement missions.

The Association originated from the cooperation between the forces of France, Italy, Spain and Portugal. These founding countries gave their initials to the name FIEP. Since then, the Association has progressively expanded, incorporating gendarmeries and police forces with military status from Europe, America, Africa and the Middle East.

FIEP was created to broaden and strengthen mutual relations among its members. Its purpose is to provide a permanent framework for dialogue, cooperation and professional exchange between forces that face similar institutional, operational and strategic challenges.

The Association promotes an innovative and active reflection on the different forms of police cooperation. It also seeks to highlight the value of the gendarmerie-type model abroad, particularly as a security model that combines military organization with police responsibilities and public security missions.

FIEP acts in accordance with current international agreements and the national regulations of each member country. It does not replace the authority of its member institutions, nor does it interfere with their national legal frameworks. Instead, it provides a platform where member forces can exchange information, share experience, compare practices and develop stronger professional ties.

Areas of Cooperation

The work of FIEP is organized around four main areas of cooperation: Human Resources, Service Organization, New Technologies and Logistics, and International Affairs.

Human Resources

This area includes training, recruitment, professional education and career development. It allows member forces to exchange experience on the preparation, specialization and professional growth of their personnel.

Through this field of cooperation, FIEP contributes to improving the quality of training systems, strengthening institutional capabilities and promoting the exchange of instructors, students and experts.

Service Organization

This area focuses on the organization and execution of police and public security missions. It includes matters related to public order, internal security, border control, operational planning, criminal investigation and the adaptation of services to emerging security needs.

By sharing experiences in this field, member forces can compare operational methods, identify common difficulties and strengthen their capacity to respond to complex security situations.

New Technologies and Logistics

This area addresses the technological and logistical dimensions of modern security work. It includes information systems, communication tools, operational equipment, transport, mobility and other resources that support the effectiveness of security forces.

FIEP provides a space where members can reflect on technological transformation, exchange lessons learned and explore how innovation can improve operational performance and institutional modernization.

International Affairs

This area focuses on cooperation beyond national borders. It includes institutional relations, common projects, coordination with international organizations and the development of shared approaches to global and regional security challenges.

Through this area, FIEP strengthens its role as a worldwide network of gendarmeries and police forces with military status.

Member Forces

FIEP currently comprises the following member forces:

A Shared Institutional Model

Although each member force operates under its own national legal framework, FIEP members share a common institutional identity. They combine military status and organization with police missions, public security responsibilities and service to the population.

This shared model allows FIEP members to understand each other’s operational realities and to cooperate in a practical and effective way. The Association therefore serves not only as a forum for discussion, but also as a professional network based on comparable structures, similar responsibilities and common security concerns.

The Role of FIEP

FIEP contributes to strengthening cooperation among its members by encouraging dialogue, technical work and the exchange of good practices. Its activities help member forces build mutual trust, improve communication and develop common perspectives on contemporary security issues.

In an international context marked by evolving threats, technological change and increasingly complex forms of crime, the Association provides a valuable framework for cooperation among institutions that share both a military culture and a police mission.

In Summary

FIEP is an international association that connects gendarmeries and police forces with military status. Its mission is to strengthen cooperation, promote the exchange of experience and support the development of a shared institutional model based on military organization, police responsibility and public security service.