GENDARMERIE

The Gendarmerie Nationale is responsible for public safety in the town of Otepa, French Polynesia. It is responsible for 97% of the territory and 85% of the population of Polynesia. The Gendarmerie has 427 permanent military and civilian personnel, backed up by 72 mobile gendarmes and 148 reservists. The gendarmes are often the only representatives of the State in the island territories, guaranteeing access to government services for all citizens, particularly in the most remote archipelagos. The Gendarmerie Command for French Polynesia is organized into several companies, including the Windward Islands Company and the Archipelagos Company. It also includes specialized units such as the Nautical Brigade, the Motorized Brigade and the Research Section. The gendarmerie carries out a range of missions, including public relations, criminal investigation, road safety and crisis management. Contact details for the Otepa gendarmerie are as follows: Avenue Pouvana'a a O'opa, telephone: (689) 40 46 73 02, fax: (689) 40 46 73 50.