The Détachement d'Action Rapide et de Dissuasion (DARD)[3] (English: 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]
| Détachement d'Action Rapide et de Dissuasion | |
|---|---|
 DARD Patch | |
| Active | 1 September 1991 – present |
| Country |  Switzerland |
| Type | Police tactical unit |
| Size | Classified |
| Part of | Vaud Cantonal Police |
| Garrison/HQ | Centre d'Intervention Régional (English: Regional Intervention Centre), La Blécherette, Lausanne, Vaud[1] |
| Nickname(s) | DARD |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Olivier Durgnat[2] |
The acronym DARD means "stinger" in French.
History
editDARD 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
editSkinheads 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
editDARD 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
editDARD operators are issued the following firearms:
References
edit- ^ a b "DARD". Retrieved 10 February 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b La Gazette (16 November 2007). "Olivier Durgnat quittel'administration" (PDF) (in French). Vaud Canton. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 August 2009. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
- ^ "Promotions à la Police cantonale vaudoise" (PDF) (in French). Vaud Cantonal Police. September 2005. p. 27. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
- ^ "Travail policier: savoir maîtriser sa peur". La gazzette (in French). 26 October 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- ^ "Les unités spécialisées" (in French). Vaud Canton. Archived from the original on 21 February 2010. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ a b Tony Maillard (June 2007). "L'UAT, UN FERDE LANCE" (PDF) (in French). p. 13. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
- ^ "Quinze interpellations" (in French). Retrieved 2 April 2009. [dead link]
- ^ "Cours "anti-hold-up" pour les employés de banque" (in French). 6 November 2006. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
- ^ "Un individu tire plusieurs coups de feu à Crissier" (in French). Vaud Canton. 10 February 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2009. [dead link]
- ^ a b "Yverdon-les-Bains, dealers interpellés" (in French). Vaud Canton. 15 October 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Drogue: 25 arrestations à Bex" (in French). Le Nouvelliste. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
- ^ "Acte désespéré à Fey" (in French). Vaud Canton. 20 August 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Epalinges (VD): La police interpelle les auteurs présumés du meurtre d'Epalinges" (in French). Retrieved 2 April 2009.
- ^ "La police interpelle les auteurs présumés du meurtre d'Epalinges" (in French). Vaud Canton. 10 January 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "nos missions" (in French). Archived from the original on 5 January 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
