The National Police is the country's main civil law enforcement agency, with primary jurisdiction in cities and large towns.

[4][5] The national police force was created on 14 August 1941, under the Vichy regime, by a decree signed by the head of government, Philippe Pétain.

Under the orders and supervision of investigating magistrates of the judiciary, it conducts criminal inquiries and serves search warrants.

[10] The National Police is divided into three corps, in the terminology of the French Civil Service, in ascending order of seniority: All the ranks insignia may be worn either on the shoulders or on the chest.

Prior to 1995 two civilian corps ("Inspecteurs" and "Enquêteurs") existed in which plainclothes officers were given the training and authority to conduct investigations.

Prior to the Second World War and the formation of the Police Nationale, the French police used a variety of side arms, both revolvers and semi-automatic pistols, notably comprising the MAS 1873, the MAS 1892, the FN M1900, Ruby pistols, and a variety of privately purchased weapons.

Immediately after the Second World War, a variety of military side arms were issued, often captured weapons provided by the Army or French-produced German-designed weapons, such as the Mauser HSc or the Walther P38 for sidearms, and the Karabiner 98k rifle, to the now unified national force.

The 1970s also saw the introduction of automatic rifles and carbines (such as the SIG SG 543) to fend off heavily armed organised crime and terrorism.

For some years, the standard sidearm in the National Police and the Gendarmerie Nationale was the PAMAS G1, which was French licensed and made.