The "gendarmerie mobile " is divided into groupements and squadrons :

- The groupements gather from 4 to 7 squadrons.

- A squadron comprises about 120 personnel under the orders of a captain. The squadron, basic command unit of the mobile gendarmerie, comprises 120 personnel. It is composed of 5 platoons, including a swat platoon. The latter deals with the most critical situations, mostly apprehending dangerous criminals.

The mobile gendarmerie which main assignment is public order can also assist the divisional gendarmerie in its law enforcement missions.

Since the Law enforcement Act of Aug 29th 2002, the mobile forces have had to perform a wider range of actions on a regional level (defence zone) :

- Maintaining public order ;

- Protecting the population (tackling deliquency, helping and saving the people, operating searches...) ;

- Ensuring permanent missions ;

- Training.

They also have domestic assignments managed by the Gendarmerie Headquarters

- Overseas stays and military assignments ;

- Reinforcement of the Paris area ;

- Large scale operations ;

- Reinforcement of the divisional gendarmerie during the holidays.