Direction centrale des renseignements généraux
Encyclopedia
The Direction Centrale des Renseignements Généraux (Central Directorate of General Intelligence), often called Renseignements Généraux (RG), was the intelligence service
of the French police
, answerable to the Direction Générale de la Police Nationale (DGPN), and, ultimately, the Ministry of the Interior
. It was also in charge of the monitoring of gambling
places and horse racing
ranges.
On July 1, 2008, it was merged with the Direction de la surveillance du territoire
into the new Direction centrale du renseignement intérieur
.
The RG employed 3 850 public servants of the Police. They were not covered by the defence classification (of their name, for instance), though some of them had access to have security clearance (some of the files are classified information).
Members of the RG did not have a judiciary police qualification as long as they worked for this service, except for those of the "Games and casinos" sub-directorate.
The last chief of the RG was Joël Bouchité.
, of an intelligence department parallel to the judiciary services.
During the 30s, the activities of fascist groups, more or less manipulated by foreign powers, (like "La Cagoule
") triggered the creation of a "Direction des services de renseignements généraux et de la police administrative" (1937), followed by a "Inspection Générale des Services de Renseignements Généraux et de la Police Administrative" (1938).
In 1941, the Regime of Vichy
created its own service, named "Direction Centrale des Renseignements Généraux".
After the liberation of France, the RG took back the role that they had in the 30s. With the context of the decolonisation, they were confronted to new threats, notably the emergence of modern terrorism with the OAS
.
From 1973, the job of monitoring France's borders was passed to a dedicated service, the "Police de l'Air et des Frontières" (PAF).
From the 90s, the RG have been confronted to new events. They now particularly monitor radical Islamism, anti-Globalization movements, and cults.
Over the years, there have been numerous accusations that the RG has engaged in illegal spying on journalists or political opponents of the government, apparently with some basis. The abolition of the RG or its integration with some other police service, such as the DST
, was suggested several times, and finally implemented on July 1, 2008 (see Direction Centrale du Renseignement Intérieur
).
Intelligence agency
An intelligence agency is a governmental agency that is devoted to information gathering for purposes of national security and defence. Means of information gathering may include espionage, communication interception, cryptanalysis, cooperation with other institutions, and evaluation of public...
of the French police
French National Police
The National Police , formerly the Sûreté Nationale, is one of two national police forces and the main civil law enforcement agency of France, with primary jurisdiction in cities and large towns. The other main agency is the military Gendarmerie, with primary jurisdiction in smaller towns and rural...
, answerable to the Direction Générale de la Police Nationale (DGPN), and, ultimately, the Ministry of the Interior
Minister of the Interior (France)
The Minister of the Interior in France is one of the most important governmental cabinet positions, responsible for the following:* The general interior security of the country, with respect to criminal acts or natural catastrophes...
. It was also in charge of the monitoring of gambling
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
places and horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
ranges.
On July 1, 2008, it was merged with the Direction de la surveillance du territoire
Direction de la surveillance du territoire
The Direction de la Surveillance du Territoire was a directorate of the French National Police operating as a domestic intelligence agency. It was responsible for counterespionage, counterterrorism and more generally the security of France against foreign threats and interference...
into the new Direction centrale du renseignement intérieur
Direction centrale du renseignement intérieur
The Direction Centrale du Renseignement Intérieur is a French intelligence agency which reports directly to the Ministry of the Interior...
.
Organisation
The RG was subdivided into four sub-directorates:- Research
- Analysis, prospective and society facts
- Resources and methods
- Games and casinos
The RG employed 3 850 public servants of the Police. They were not covered by the defence classification (of their name, for instance), though some of them had access to have security clearance (some of the files are classified information).
Members of the RG did not have a judiciary police qualification as long as they worked for this service, except for those of the "Games and casinos" sub-directorate.
The last chief of the RG was Joël Bouchité.
Sub-directorate of Research
The Sub-directorate of Research is in charge of intelligence, prevention and repression of terrorist acts, particularly by monitoring groups and organisations likely to be linked to such activities.Sub-directorate of Analysis, prospective and society facts
The Sub-directorate of Analysis, prospective and society facts is in charge of analysing and syntesing data collected from social, financial or other institutions.Sub-directorate of Resources and methods
The Sub-directorate of Resources and methods is in charge of recruitement, logistics, documentation and juridical matters, as well as of budget and staff training.Sub-directorate of Gaming and casinos
The Sub-directorate of Gaming and casinos monitors these places together with horse racing, and also has judiciary and police powers there.History
Although police intelligence services appeared in the Ancien Régime, the term "Renseignements Généraux" dates back to 1907, with the creation by the Director of the General Security, Célestin HennionCélestin Hennion
Célestin Hennion CVO was a French police officer who rose to head the Prefecture of Police . He is notable for his reorganisation of the Préfecture and the introduction of the Tiger's Brigades...
, of an intelligence department parallel to the judiciary services.
During the 30s, the activities of fascist groups, more or less manipulated by foreign powers, (like "La Cagoule
La Cagoule
La Cagoule , officially called Comité secret d'action révolutionnaire , was a violent French fascist-leaning and anti-communist group, active in the 1930s, and designed to attempt the overthrow of the French Third Republic...
") triggered the creation of a "Direction des services de renseignements généraux et de la police administrative" (1937), followed by a "Inspection Générale des Services de Renseignements Généraux et de la Police Administrative" (1938).
In 1941, the Regime of Vichy
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
created its own service, named "Direction Centrale des Renseignements Généraux".
After the liberation of France, the RG took back the role that they had in the 30s. With the context of the decolonisation, they were confronted to new threats, notably the emergence of modern terrorism with the OAS
Organisation armée secrète
The Organisation de l'armée secrète was a short-lived, French far-right nationalist militant and underground organization during the Algerian War . The OAS used armed struggle in an attempt to prevent Algeria's independence...
.
From 1973, the job of monitoring France's borders was passed to a dedicated service, the "Police de l'Air et des Frontières" (PAF).
From the 90s, the RG have been confronted to new events. They now particularly monitor radical Islamism, anti-Globalization movements, and cults.
Over the years, there have been numerous accusations that the RG has engaged in illegal spying on journalists or political opponents of the government, apparently with some basis. The abolition of the RG or its integration with some other police service, such as the DST
Direction de la surveillance du territoire
The Direction de la Surveillance du Territoire was a directorate of the French National Police operating as a domestic intelligence agency. It was responsible for counterespionage, counterterrorism and more generally the security of France against foreign threats and interference...
, was suggested several times, and finally implemented on July 1, 2008 (see Direction Centrale du Renseignement Intérieur
Direction centrale du renseignement intérieur
The Direction Centrale du Renseignement Intérieur is a French intelligence agency which reports directly to the Ministry of the Interior...
).