WHAT IS RAID?
the RAID, defined through the words Research, Assistance, Intervention and Dissuasion is a elite unit from French National Police created in 1985 and placed under the authority of the Director General of the National Police, currently Frédéric Veaux since January 29, 2020.
The word “raid” also designates a military assault. This unit participates, on the whole of the French territory, by the negotiation or theintervention, to the fight against all forms of criminality, from organized crime, from terrorism or from hostage-taking.
The dogs were integrated into the National Police by Mr. Lépine in 1900.
WHO ARE THESE DOGS SERVING THE RAID AND THE NATION?
The Belgian Shepherds Malinois are the dogs most used by the RAID because they have qualities perfectly suited to the missions they have to perform. They are courageous, quick, obedient, intelligent (malins-Malinois), mighty thanks to their musculature, agile and have great jumping skills.
RECRUITMENT
Dogs are subject to a very complete recruitment. First of all, the National Police chooses them from the National Training Center for Army Dogs Units (132nd RIC) in Suippes.
In the case of RAID, specific canine profiles and qualities are required which these dogs are not always endowed with. This is why RAID also calls for private touts, French or European capable of finding them the perfect dogs.
Malinois can also come from civilian life. Indeed, their masters having abandoned them, they are then recovered by the men of the RAID and veterinarians who make them pass a battery of tests and scenarios always with men in uniform, so that they get used to the uniform and in particular the balaclava.
A dog is considered courageous when his aggressiveness outweighs his fear.
Each dog trains with his master (parachute jumps, abseiling, etc…). There is the will to create a link, a real friendship between them. Generally, on a mission, men cannot speak, so they have to make themselves understood by the dog through gestures, the cohesion with the canine is essential.
Following this recruitment, the dogs of the Canine Brigade of the RAID are differentiated into two types by a registration number.
2 CATEGORIES OF DOGS AND THEIR TRAINING
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The assault / patrol / intervention dogs are used for neutralize an overly violent individual, but they are also useful for their highly developed senses such as view Where the smell, or even when men cannot have recourse to appropriate technological means as effective as the Malinois. In extreme situations, the assault dog is the last resort before using a weapon. These dogs are trained to control and immobilize the volunteers of the RAID previously protected by fleece clothing so as not to feel the bites. During their “biting work”, They learn to“bawl”, In other words to grab the prey with their entire mouth. To bite becomes for them a release, a leisure. Thus, there are biting sausages so that dogs can relax their jaw in complete safety or muzzles, such as those of the brand Julius K9, available on our online store for example. Most often, these dogs are assigned for building scouting or for the close protection.
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The explosives search dogs, they undergo specialized training in recognition of around forty listed subjects. Their training is mainly based ondaily improvement in their sense of smell since they never bite when an explosive is found, which would be far too risky. These dogs are often also used for ensure the safety of the President of the Republic.
EXCEPTIONAL OFFICIALS
During their lifetimes, dogs are more often in coaching that in concrete situation.
However, if necessary, they take all the risks and save human lives by being very fast and creating surprises, ensures number 1 in RAID. They are an integral part of the unit.
The death of the female dog Diesel, on November 18, 2015, during the assault on Saint-Denis had, moreover, created a media wave around the identity of her murderer.
The dog handlers are close and affectionate with their dog, but only outside of work in order to always keep their aggressiveness and their courage intact.
From the internal point of view of cynopolics (police officers working with a dog), canines are sentient beings, can be seriously injured, can feel the pain and even die as a result of muscular interventions.
However, it was not until February 17, 2015 that the animals were officially recognized by the Civil Code as “sentient beings”.