Détachement d'Action Rapide et de Dissuasion explained

The Détachement d'Action Rapide et de Dissuasion (DARD)^[3] (en|Swift Action and Deterrent Detachment) is a specialist unit of the cantonal police of Vaud,^{[4] [5]} originally established to counter the growing rate of terrorism in Europe during the herald of the 1970s.^[6] They are based in the Centre d'Intervention Régional (English: Regional Intervention Centre), located in La Blécherette in the city of Lausanne.^[1]

The acronym DARD means "stinger" in French.

History

DARD was founded on 1 September 1991 in Vaud, due to concerns of the canton regarding terrorism at the cantonal level.^[6] It is an extension of the previous réserve d'intervention ("intervention reserve") which was composed of 6 gendarmes. By contrast, the DARD is a standing unit of 13 gendarmes. One of its known commanders was Olivier Durgnat.^[2]

Known operations

Skinheads were apprehended by DARD operators during a march on 30 June 2003.^[7] DARD was mobilised to hunt down an armed robber who had robbed a bank on 7 November 2006.^[8] DARD units were deployed to Bussigny-près-Lausanne on 12 November 2007 after an armed man was reported to Vaud police; the armed suspect was wounded before being taken to a hospital.^[9]

DARD operators were deployed on 14 May 2008 in an anti-drug operation to seize hemp.^[10] DARD was also deployed to conduct another anti-drug operation with 25 people arrested.^{[10] [11]}

A DARD unit was mobilised to assist sûreté detectives on 20 August 2008 to dissuade a man from committing suicide, which failed despite negotiations by DARD negotiators and detectives.^[12]

On 9 January 2009, DARD units had been mobilised in a manhunt to arrest two suspects responsible for killing a sexagenarian man on 29 December 2008.^{[13] [14]}

Canine units use

DARD uses canine units in most of its operations after a training program started in 2005 with the first dog accepted into DARD service in 2006.^[15]

Equipment

DARD operators are issued the following firearms:

• Glock 17
• SIG-Sauer P226
  • Heckler & Koch MP5 SIG SG 550

Notes and References

1. Web site: DARD . 2010-02-10 .
2. Web site: Olivier Durgnat quittel'administration . French . 2009-04-02 . 16 November 2007 . Vaud Canton . La Gazette . 2 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090826211133/http://www.vd.ch/uploads/media/Gazette_190_Web_01.pdf . 26 August 2009 .
3. Web site: Promotions à la Police cantonale vaudoise. French. 2009-04-02. September 2005. Vaud Cantonal Police. 27.
4. News: 26 October 2023 . Travail policier: savoir maîtriser sa peur . 2 November 2024 . La gazzette . fr.
5. Web site: Les unités spécialisées . 2010-02-10 . French . Vaud Canton . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100221042129/http://www.vd.ch/fr/autorites/departements/dse/police-cantonale/missions/missions-de-la-gendarmerie/ . 21 February 2010 .
6. Web site: L'UAT, UN FERDE LANCE. 2009-04-02. French. June 2007. 13. Tony Maillard.
7. Web site: Quinze interpellations. 2009-04-02. French.
8. Web site: Cours "anti-hold-up" pour les employés de banque. French. 6 November 2006. 2009-04-02.
9. Web site: Un individu tire plusieurs coups de feu à Crissier. 10 February 2010. 2009-04-02. French. Vaud Canton.
10. Web site: Yverdon-les-Bains, dealers interpellés . 15 October 2008 . French . Vaud Canton .
11. Web site: Drogue: 25 arrestations à Bex. 2009-04-02. French. Le Nouvelliste.
12. Web site: Acte désespéré à Fey . French . Vaud Canton . 20 August 2008 .
13. Web site: Epalinges (VD): La police interpelle les auteurs présumés du meurtre d'Epalinges. 2009-04-02. French.
14. Web site: La police interpelle les auteurs présumés du meurtre d'Epalinges . 10 January 2009 . French . Vaud Canton .
15. Web site: nos missions . 2009-04-03 . French . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090105170509/http://www.vaud-k9.com/formation-appuigi.htm . 5 January 2009 .