Chad: Police and security forces, including structure, divisions, and ranks (2013-April 2014)
Information on the structure, divisions and ranks of the Chadian police and security forces was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
Law 12/PR/2006 (Loi No 012/PR/2006) of 10 March 2006 outlines the structure and division of Chad's security forces (Chad 2006). A copy of the law, which is attached to this Response, was sent to the Research Directorate by a lawyer in N'Djaména, Chad.
The Constitution of the Republic of Chad says the following regarding the responsibility of Chadian armed forces and security forces:
[translation]
Article 192
National Defence is provided by the National Army and the National Gendarmerie.
The maintenance of law and order and of security is provided by the National Police, the National and Nomadic Guard, and the National Gendarmerie. (ibid. 1996)
The Constitution also specifies the "missions" of the various parts of the armed forces and security forces as follows:
Article 193
The mission of the Chadian National Army is to defend territorial integrity and national unity, and to protect national independence and the security of the country from any external aggression or threat.
Article 194
The Chadian National Army takes part in economic and social development tasks and in humanitarian operations.
Article 195
Missions not provided for under this Constitution are defined by legislation.
Article 196
The mission of the National Gendarmerie is to:
- protect persons and property;
- maintain or restore law and order;
- ensure that laws and regulations are followed.
Article 197
The National Gendarmerie performs Judicial Police and Administrative Police duties. It operates throughout the national territory in accordance with human rights and freedoms.
Article 198
The mission of the National Police is to:
- ensure the security of the state;
- maintain or restore law and order;
- ensure the security and protection of persons and property;
- ensure public tranquility and health;
- ensure that laws and regulations are followed.
Article 199
The National Police operates throughout the national territory in accordance with human rights and freedoms.
Article 200
The mission of the National and Nomadic Guard is to:
- protect political and administrative authorities;
- protect public buildings;
- maintain order in rural and nomadic areas;
- guard and monitor detention centres.
Article 201
The National and Nomadic Guard operate throughout the national territory in accordance with human rights and freedoms.
Article 202
The organization, operation, and other missions and powers of the National Army, National Gendarmerie, National Police, and National and Nomadic Guard are set out in legislation. (ibid.)
Additional information, including information on the ranks of police and security forces, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Reference
Chad. 2006. Loi No 012/PR/2006 portant réorganisation des Forces Armées et de Sécurité. Sent to the Research Directorate by a lawyer in N'Djaména on 18 April 2014.
Chad. 1996. Constitution du 31 mars 1996 révisée (Constitution of March 31, 1996 - Revised). Translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Works and Government Services Canada. [Accessed 10 Apr. 2014]
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: Attempts to contact the following persons and organizations were unsuccessful within the time constraints of this Response: embassies of Chad in Washington, DC, and Paris; Office of the President of Chad; World Peace Foundation; Embassy of Canada in Khartoum; International Crisis Group; Université de N'Djaména, and lawyers in Chad.
Representatives of the Igarapé Institute could not provide information.
Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; Chad – embassy in Paris, Banque Tchadienne de Donées Juridiques, Présidence de la République du Tchad; Droit.Afrique.com; ecoi.net; Factiva; Freedom House; International Committee of the Red Cross; International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; Interpol; The Guardian; Human Rights Watch; Institute for War and Peace Reporting; Jeune Afrique; Lexadin; Reporters sans frontières; Tchadonline.com; United Nations – Department of Peacekeeping Operations; United States – Central Intelligence Agency, Department of Defense, Department of State.
Attachment
Chad. 2006. Loi No 012/PR/2006 portant réorganisation des Forces Armées et de Sécurité. Sent to the Research Directorate by a lawyer in N'Djaména on 18 April 2014.