National Police Operational Reserve
Verified 13 May 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Do you want to join the National Police Operational Reserve? You can apply to be a volunteer citizen, former security assistant or retired police officer. You must meet several conditions to be able to file a file. If your application is successful, you will have to undergo an interview and a medical examination before signing your contract of employment. Your missions will be compensated. We tell you what you need to know.
What applies to you ?
Volunteer citizen
By becoming an operational reservist, you can join a police service and provide temporary reinforcement to active police services.
The commitment to serve in the Police Operational Reserve is to:
- Operational missions (e.g. safety perimeter during accidents, operation tranquility holidays, verbalization under the authority of a judicial police officer)
- Specialized assignments (e.g. legal expertise, communication, IT).
Please note
The maintenance and restoration of order is not part of the reserve's mission.
You must meet the following 4 conditions:
- Be of French nationality
- Be between the ages of 18 and 67
- Have done the national service or the Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC)
- Not having been convicted of a crime or punishment resulting in the loss of your civil rights (right to vote...) and the prohibition of exercising a public employment.
Please note
Specialist reservists are recruited according to their level of education (bachelor's or master's degree) and their professional experience. For them, the age limit is 72.
You must also be medically fit.
A recruitment medical examination will be carried out. It is a question of checking whether there is a contraindication to the exercise of the missions entrusted to the reservists of the police. This is the case in particular for the following:
- Carrying and use of weapons
- Wearing uniform and special equipment
- Intense and/or prolonged physical exertion including prolonged standing
- Use of physical force.
In addition to these conditions, you agree to comply with the code of ethics of the national police and the national gendarmerie.
You must use an online approach:
Apply for the National Police Operational Reserve (volunteer citizen)
You must provide the documents following:
- Letter of motivation
- RESUME
- Identity document valid
- Birth certificate with filiation extract
- Individual Certificate of Participation in Defense and Citizenship Day.
You can also attach a copy of any professional qualifications (for specialists) or diplomas.
If your application is successful, you will have to pass the following selections:
- Maintenance
- Physical Fitness Check
- Preparation for the operational reserve.
You must perform a 20-hour online self-study.
You can access it using a username and password.
You then benefit from an initial preparation of 10 days in a police structure, close to your home.
The preparation is done under the regime of the boarding school (you are accommodated).
The program of preparation consists of the following subjects:
- Organization and functioning of the police
- Explanation of the Reservist's Missions
- Safety rules in intervention
- Information on weapons.
This preparation assesses the following:
- Motivation
- Behavior
- Ability to use weapons.
You pass the authorization to carry and use the service weapon.
This training is not not remunerated.
You are subject to a elimination assessment.
If successful, you sign your contract of employment in the reserve at the end of preparation.
The contract of employment shall specify in particular the following:
- Grade
- Duration of contract
- Assignment Directorate or Department
- Level of functions performed
- Remuneration
- Organization of working time
- Conditions of interruption or termination of contract.
Your grade is that of deputy reservist police officer.
However, if you are recruited as a specialist, your grade is determined based on your diplomas and qualifications.
You sign a contract of employment for a period of 1 year to 5 years.
The duration of your assignment is at most 90 days a year (we are also talking about vacations).
No minimum number of days is required.
You can choose the periods or days of availability during which you can be called. A joint schedule is established.
FYI
As a reserve police officer, you will have to respond to the summonses that will be sent to you.
Before you begin your Reservist missions, you must complete a job adjustment training.
From the signing of your employment contract, you have 6 months to complete this training.
Warning
Without the validation of this training, your contract will be terminated.
This in-depth training is done in 2 stages:
- Self-training online from 30 hours
- Training of specialization (2 times 5 days, in the training center of the duty station).
These training periods are paid.
You will be subject to a continuing education throughout your commitment.
During the exercise of your mission, you have business card of reservist.
Missions may require the wearing of uniform.
During the mission, you must wear a badge from the operational reserve.
Missions may require the use of a weapon and bulletproof vest.
Compensation depends on your situation:
General case
Grades | Gross daily rate of the allowance |
|---|---|
Divisional Commissioner | €240 |
Commissioner | €177 |
Commander | €143 |
Captain | €132 |
Major | €112 |
Chief Brigadier | €103 |
Peacekeeper | €88 |
Assistant Police | €74 |
Île-de-France
Grades | Gross daily rate of the allowance |
|---|---|
Divisional Commissioner | €249 |
Commissioner | €185 |
Commander | €149 |
Captain | €138 |
Major | €119 |
Chief Brigadier | €111 |
Peacekeeper | €95 |
Assistant Police | €80 |
Loyalty bonus
You can benefit from a loyalty bonus if you meet the following 2 conditions:
- You signed a 1er contract with a duration of 3 years or more, renewed by a 2e contract with a minimum duration of 3 years
- You have completed a minimum of 37 days of activity per year of engagement during the 2e contract.
The amount of the loyalty bonus is €250 raw.
The loyalty bonus is paid each year, starting from the month following each anniversary date of signature of the 2e contract.
Example :
You sign your 2e contract on 1er January 2026. The loyalty bonus is paid on the 1ster February 2027.
Specific study allowance
You can get a specific education allowance if you are enrolled in a vocational or higher education institution and that you commit to being a reservist.
This allowance is in the amount of €100 gross per month, or €1,200 crude over 12 months.
To receive this allowance, you must complete the 3 conditions following:
- Credit memo under 25 to 1er october of the year of enrollment in the professional or higher institution
- Have signed at the time of your application for an allowance 1er contract of employment for a period of 5 years
- You agree to perform 37 days of activity per school year (between the date of signing of the commitment and enrollment in a graduate student year).
Your application must be filed with the organization you depend on as a reservist (for example, army or gendarmerie).
Participation in the financing of driving license B
A contribution to the financing of the B driver's license may be granted to you if you all conditions following:
- Have signed a contract of employment before the age of 25
- Never held a B driver's license
- Have completed at least 50 days of activity in the reserve
- Be more than 2 years from the end of your employment contract
- Proof of enrollment in a driving school.
The amount of the participation is €1,000.
It is granted only once.
The rules vary depending on your situation:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You are an employee
Your employer cannot oppose your commitment to the operational reserve.
You have permission to be absent from 10 days a year for your activities in the reserve. Authorization can be reduced to 5 days per year if you work in a company with less than 50 employees.
You must inform, in writing, your employer of your absence on working time 1 month before the beginning of your mission or training.
For more than 10 days a year, you must ask for your employer's consent.
FYI
Your employer cannot oppose your absence to complete reserve preparation and job adjustment training on your working time.
Your employment contract temporarily ceases during periods of employment and training in the Police Operational Reserve.
As a result, you do not receive any wages from your employer.
However, this period is considered to be a period of actual work, particularly in terms of seniority and advancement.
As an operational reservist, you can benefit from a donation of days from your co-workers. Your employer's agreement is required.
You cannot be dismissed, or be subject to a professional downgrading or disciplinary action because you are hired as a reservist.
FYI
During your periods of activity in the operational reserve of the national police, you continue to benefit, for you and for your rights holdershealth, maternity, disability and death insurance.
You are a civil servant
Your employer cannot oppose your commitment to the National Police Operational Reserve. You don't have to get his approval.
You have the right to leave with pay up to 45 days a year to carry out your reserve periods.
Beyond that, you can accomplish your missions on your free time or leave.
You cannot be dismissed, or be subject to a professional downgrading or disciplinary action because you are hired as a reservist.
In the event of non-compliance, the disciplinary sanctions which may apply to reserve police officers are:
- Warning
- Blame
- Deletion of progress table
- Demotion to lower grade
- Removal from the national police operational reserve.
The decision imposing a disciplinary penalty must state the reasons on which it is based.
Your contract of employment is terminated if you no longer meet the physical fitness requirements.
This is also the case when you reach the age limit of 67 (72 if you are a specialist reservist).
You may request the termination of your Reservist contract before the scheduled end date in writing at least 1 month before the desired end date.
What to remember before applying for the operational reserve
- You must be major to apply
- The pre-training is mandatory
- You sign one 1 to 5 year contract, for one maximum of 90 days per year
- You must answer the summonses addressed to you
- You are compensated for your missions.
Former security assistant
The commitment to serve in the Police Operational Reserve is to:
- Operational missions (e.g. safety perimeter during accidents, operation tranquility holidays, verbalization under the authority of a judicial police officer)
- Specialized assignments (e.g. legal expertise, communication, IT).
Please note
The maintenance and restoration of order is not part of the reserve's mission.
You must meet the following conditions:
- Be old of 18 to 67 years
- Have been a security assistant for at least 3 years of effective service at the time of signing the contract of employment in the national police civilian reserve
- Not having been convicted of a crime or punishment resulting in the loss of your civil rights (right to vote...) and the prohibition of exercising a public employment
- Not having been disciplined.
Please note
The age limit is 72 for reservist specialists.
You must also be medically fit.
A recruitment medical examination will be carried out. It is a question of checking whether there is a contraindication to the exercise of the missions entrusted to the reservists of the police. This is the case in particular for the following:
- Carrying and use of weapons
- Wearing uniform and special equipment
- Intense and/or prolonged physical exertion including prolonged standing
- Use of physical force.
In addition to these conditions, you agree to comply with the code of ethics of the national police and the national gendarmerie.
You must use an online approach:
Apply for the National Police Operational Reserve (former Deputy Police Officer)
You must provide the documents following:
- Letter of motivation
- RESUME
- Identity document valid
- Birth certificate with filiation extract
- Individual Certificate of Participation in Defense and Citizenship Day or a copy of the exemption certificate.
If you have a full copy of Part III of your Future Career Passport or Tracking Booklet with a copy of the card way of serving, you can attach it to the form.
You can also attach a copy of any certificates of professional competence or diplomas.
If your application is successful, you will have to pass the selections following:
- Maintenance
- Physical Fitness Check
- Preparation for the operational reserve.
It depends on your situation:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Your contract ended less than 3 years ago
You are dispensed preparation for entry into the reserve.
Your contract has expired for 3 years or more
You must perform a 20-hour online self-study.
You can access it using a username and password.
You then benefit from an initial preparation of 10 days in a police structure, close to your home.
The preparation is done under the regime of the boarding school (you are accommodated).
The program of preparation consists of the following subjects:
- Organization and functioning of the police
- Explanation of the Reservist's Missions
- Safety rules in intervention
- Information on weapons.
This preparation assesses the following:
- Motivation
- Behavior
- Ability to use weapons.
You pass the authorization to carry and use the service weapon.
This training is not not remunerated.
You are subject to a elimination assessment.
If successful, you sign your contract of employment in the reserve at the end of preparation.
The contract of employment shall specify in particular the following:
- Grade
- Duration of contract
- Assignment Directorate or Department
- Level of functions performed
- Remuneration
- Organization of working time
- Conditions of interruption or termination of contract.
You sign a contract of employment for a period of 1 year to 5 years.
The maximum duration of your assignment is 150 days (we are also talking about vacations) per year (and up to 210 days per year for international cooperation missions).
No minimum number of days is required.
You can choose the periods or days of availability during which you can be called. A joint schedule is established.
FYI
As a reserve police officer, you will have to respond to the summonses that will be sent to you.
Your training periods are compensated.
They depend on the end of your contract as a former security assistant:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Your contract ended less than 3 years ago
You are dispensed initial training.
You will be subject to a continuing education throughout your commitment.
Your contract has expired for 3 years or more
Before you begin your Reservist missions, you must complete a job adjustment training.
From the signing of your employment contract, you have 6 months to complete this training.
Warning
Without the validation of this training, your contract will be terminated.
This in-depth training is done in 2 stages:
- Self-training online from 30 hours
- Training of specialization (2 times 5 days, in the training center of the duty station).
These training periods are paid.
You will be subject to a continuing education throughout your commitment.
During the exercise of your mission, you have business card of reservist.
Missions may require the wearing of a uniform.
During the mission, you must wear an operational reserve badge.
Missions may require the use of a weapon and bulletproof vest.
Compensation depends on your situation:
General case
Grades | Gross daily rate of the allowance |
|---|---|
Divisional Commissioner | €240 |
Commissioner | €177 |
Commander | €143 |
Captain | €132 |
Major | €112 |
Chief Brigadier | €103 |
Peacekeeper | €88 |
Assistant Police | €74 |
Île-de-France
Grades | Gross daily rate of the allowance |
|---|---|
Divisional Commissioner | €249 |
Commissioner | €185 |
Commander | €149 |
Captain | €138 |
Major | €119 |
Chief Brigadier | €111 |
Peacekeeper | €95 |
Assistant Police | €80 |
Loyalty bonus
You can benefit from a loyalty bonus if you meet the following 2 conditions:
- You signed a 1er contract with a duration of 3 years or more, renewed by a 2e contract with a minimum duration of 3 years
- You have completed a minimum of 37 days of activity per year of engagement during the 2e contract.
The amount of the loyalty bonus is €250 raw.
The loyalty bonus is paid each year, starting from the month following each anniversary date of signature of the 2e contract.
Example :
You sign your 2e contract on 1er January 2026. The loyalty bonus is paid on the 1ster February 2027.
Participation in the financing of driving license B
A contribution to the financing of the B driver's license may be granted to you if you all conditions following:
- Have signed a contract of employment before the age of 25
- Never held a B driver's license
- Have completed at least 50 days of activity in the reserve
- Be more than 2 years from the end of your employment contract
- Proof of enrollment in a driving school.
The amount of the participation is €1,000.
It is granted only once.
The rules vary depending on your situation:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You are an employee
Your employer cannot oppose your commitment to the operational reserve.
You have permission to be absent from 10 days a year for your activities in the reserve. Authorization can be reduced to 5 days per year if you work in a company with less than 50 employees.
You must inform, in writing, your employer of your absence on working time 1 month before the beginning of your mission or training.
For more than 10 days a year, you must ask for your employer's consent.
FYI
Your employer cannot oppose your absence to complete reserve preparation and job adjustment training on your working time.
Your employment contract temporarily ceases during periods of employment and training in the Police Operational Reserve.
As a result, you do not receive any wages from your employer.
However, this period is considered to be a period of actual work, particularly in terms of seniority and advancement.
As an operational reservist, you can benefit from a donation of days from your co-workers. Your employer's agreement is required.
You cannot be dismissed, or be subject to a professional downgrading or disciplinary action because you are hired as a reservist.
FYI
During your periods of activity in the operational reserve of the national police, you continue to benefit, for you and for your rights holdershealth, maternity, disability and death insurance.
You are a civil servant
Your employer cannot oppose your commitment to the National Police Operational Reserve. You don't have to get his approval.
You have the right to leave with pay up to 45 days a year to carry out your reserve periods.
Beyond that, you can accomplish your missions on your free time or leave.
You cannot be dismissed, or be subject to a professional downgrading or disciplinary action because you are hired as a reservist.
In the event of non-compliance, the disciplinary sanctions which may apply to reserve police officers are:
- Warning
- Blame
- Deletion of progress table
- Demotion to lower grade
- Removal from the national police operational reserve.
The decision imposing a disciplinary penalty must state the reasons on which it is based.
Your contract of employment is terminated if you no longer meet the physical fitness requirements.
This is also the case when you reach the age limit of 67 (72 if you are a specialist reservist).
You can request the termination of your Reservist contract before the scheduled end date in writing at least 1 month before the desired end date.
What to remember before applying for the operational reserve
- The pre-training is mandatory if your security assistant contract has been completed for 3 years or more
- You must not not have been disciplined
- You sign one 1 to 5 year contract, for one maximum of 150 days per year
- You must answer the summonses addressed to you
- You are compensated for your missions.
Retired police officer
The commitment to serve in the Police Operational Reserve is to:
- Operational missions (e.g. safety perimeter during accidents, operation tranquility holidays, verbalization under the authority of a judicial police officer)
- Specialized assignments (e.g. legal expertise, communication, IT).
Please note
The maintenance and restoration of order is not part of the reserve's mission.
As a retired member of the National Police, you must respond to reminders from the Ministry of the Interior in case of threats or serious disturbances to public order or exceptional events. For example, terrorist threat.
This obligation lasts 5 years after your retirement.
As part of this obligation, you can also be called to one day of the operational reserve.
This action, intended to check the responsiveness of the device, allows you to participate in shooting training sessions and to update your professional knowledge.
You must meet the following conditions:
- Be old of under 67
- Not having been admitted to retirement on a statutory or invalidity basis
- Not having been disciplined.
Please note
The age limit is 72 for specialist reservists.
You must also be medically fit.
A recruitment medical examination will be carried out. It is a question of checking whether there is a contraindication to the exercise of the missions entrusted to the reservists of the police. This is the case in particular for the following:
- Carrying and use of weapons
- Wearing uniform and special equipment
- Intense and/or prolonged physical exertion including prolonged standing
- Use of physical force.
In addition to these conditions, you agree to comply with the code of ethics of the national police and the national gendarmerie.
You must use an online approach:
Apply for the National Police Operational Reserve (retired police officer)
You must provide the documents following:
- Valid ID
- Scorecard (asset rating)
- RESUME.
If your application is successful, and before the signing of any contract, you will be invited to compulsory medical examination.
The contract of employment shall specify in particular the following:
- Grade
- Duration of contract
- Assignment Directorate or Department
- Level of functions performed
- Remuneration
- Organization of working time
- Conditions of interruption or termination of contract.
You sign a contract of employment for a period of 1 year to 5 years.
The maximum duration of your assignment is 150 days (we are also talking about vacations) per year on national territory (and up to 210 days per year for international cooperation missions).
No minimum number of days is required.
You can choose the periods or days of availability during which you can be called. A joint schedule is established.
As a reserve police officer, you must respond to summonses that will be sent to you.
You benefit from continuous training including shooting training and refresher sessions if the missions entrusted require it.
Your training periods are compensated.
During the exercise of your mission, you have a professional reserve card.
Missions may require the wearing of a uniform.
During the mission, you must wear an operational reserve badge.
Missions may require the use of a weapon and bulletproof vest.
Compensation depends on your situation:
General case
Grade | Gross daily rate of the allowance |
|---|---|
Commissioner-General | €276 |
Divisional Commissioner | €240 |
Commissioner | €177 |
Major | €156 |
Commander | €143 |
Captain | €132 |
Major | €112 |
Chief Brigadier | €103 |
Peacekeeper | €88 |
Deputy Policeman | €74 |
Île-de-France
Grade | Gross daily rate of the allowance |
|---|---|
Commissioner-General | €286 |
Divisional Commissioner | €249 |
Commissioner | €185 |
Major | €163 |
Commander | €149 |
Captain | €138 |
Major | €119 |
Chief Brigadier | €111 |
Peacekeeper | €95 |
Deputy Policeman | €80 |
You can benefit from a loyalty bonus if you meet the following 2 conditions:
- You signed a 1er contract with a duration of 3 years or more, renewed by a 2e contract with a minimum duration of 3 years
- You have completed a minimum of 37 days of activity per year of engagement during the 2e contract.
The amount of the loyalty bonus is €250 raw.
The loyalty bonus is paid each year, starting from the month following each anniversary date of signature of the 2e contract.
Example :
You sign your 2e contract on 1er January 2026. The loyalty bonus is paid on the 1ster February 2027.
In the event of non-compliance, the disciplinary sanctions which may apply to reserve police officers are:
- Warning
- Blame
- Deletion of progress table
- Demotion to lower grade
- Removal from the national police operational reserve.
The decision imposing a disciplinary penalty must state the reasons on which it is based.
Your contract of employment is terminated if you no longer meet the physical fitness requirements.
This is also the case when you reach the age limit of 67 (72 if you are a specialist reservist).
You can request the termination of your Reservist contract before the scheduled end date in writing at least 1 month before the desired end date.
What to remember before applying for the operational reserve
- You must be under 67 years of age (or 72 if you are a specialist reservist)
- You sign one 1 to 5 year contract, for a period of 150 days maximum per year
- You must answer the summonses addressed to you
- You are compensated for your missions.
On the same subject
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
National Police - Recruitment
By phone
0800 22 0800 (free service and call)
By mail
National police missions and personnel: operational reserve
Common provisions for reservists of the national police
Provisions relating to retired reservists of the national police subject to the standby obligation
Provisions for volunteers in the national police reserve
Provisions relating to Reservists who have been Security Assistants
Loyalty and other incentives for National Guard Reservists
Compensation for periods of employment and training in the national police operational reserve
Ministry of the Interior
Ministry of the Interior