This open access book presents creative, multi-faceted and critical perspectives on the future of European gendarmerie organisations, particularly in the era of hybrid security threats. It reviews international cooperation between gendarmerie organisations and raises the question of whether the traditionally styled gendarmerie organisations are up to the rapidly changing security climate, where criminal organisations tend to be agile and innovative. Gendarmerie organisations are military-style police organisations which have evolved over time but they are generally responsible for police activities at the higher risk end of the spectrum when it comes to closing sudden as well as structural security gaps. Europe faces several security challenges beyond, at and within its borders, ranging from large-scale organised crime, terrorism and irregular migration. This book explores traditional security actors in Europe, in particular gendarmerie organisations in France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Spain, as well as the (cooperation with) gendarmerie organisations in neighbouring countries, such as Morocco and Turkey. It includes co-authored chapters from academics with gendarmerie practitioners. This book argues that within the plural policing arena, gendarmerie organisations still have their part to play.

Monica den Boer is Professor of Military Policing Operations at the Netherlands Defence Academy, the Netherlands. 

Marleen Easton is Professor in Governance of Security at the Department of Public Governance & Management, Faculty of Economics & Business Administration, Ghent University, Belgium.

Michiel de Weger:

LCol Michael Rustenhoven: