The mission of RATP’s Safety department is to coordinate its security operations and prevention policies. The articulation of these two complementary policies helps reinforce the overall control of the territory, in constant association with the police forces and operational units (bus depots, metro lines). The effectiveness of these actions is based on the complementary nature of the different professions that intervene in the communities served by the RATP network. For passengers, these complementary skills and areas of intervention result in a reassuring human presence that is routinely encountered over the course of their journeys.
A strong human presence lies at the core of RATP’s security policy
While technical resources and technological advances provide precious decision-making support, RATP’s safety policy is above all founded on a major human presence throughout its networks.
Ensuring the security and safety of passengers, staff and property, RATP’s Network Protection and Security Group (GPSR) has nearly one thousand security agents. Some one hundred security teams are present each day on the networks, ensuring missions of prevention, dissuasion and security. After a strict recruitment process and a long training programme, GPSR agents are sworn in and authorised to carry arms (B and D category weapons).
Constant, exemplary cooperation with police services
For many years, RATP has maintained an active partnership with the police forces, and notably with the Rail Network Brigade, which has broad powers covering all rail networks in the Île-de-France region (RATP and SNCF networks). Numerous joint operations are coordinated and carried out to create a dissuasive presence, stronger security and greater visibility, depending on the circumstances and joint analysis.
- Daily operational measures, based on a shared and targeted analysis of crime,
- Temporary coordination with special forces during exceptional festive and sports events or during unforeseen events.
RATP has also signed three-party agreements with municipal police. While respecting the prerogatives and specific domains of each force, these agreements define the terms for implementing joint operations within and in the vicinity of the metro, RER and bus stations of a given commune. The aim is to improve the security of persons and property, and to prevent and punish violations.
Plan de sécurité
Le département de la Sûreté a élaboré un Plan de Sécurité en lien avec les directives nationales de sécurité relative aux transports collectifs et ferroviaires. Ce plan a pour objet de définir la politique générale de protection pour l'ensemble des établissements, ouvrages ou installations, notamment ceux organisés en réseau :
- Identifier les risques,
- Prescrire les mesures à mettre en œuvre,
- Préciser les axes d’amélioration dont les projets de défense à privilégier en matière de doctrine, d’expérimentations et de recherche et développement.
Application of VIGIPIRATE, the government’s national security plan
In accordance with the regulations for the general organisation of defence and the government’s responsibilities in the matter, the government and each minister concerned defines and implements measures to prevent terrorist attacks, in order to protect people and safeguard installations that risk being targeted. The government’s Vigipirate plan is a series of measures designed to prevent malicious acts and terrorism, and is implemented according to several threat levels. Vigipirate notably defines measures of vigilance, prevention and protection that are adapted to the evolution of a situation, based on analysis by the intelligence service. Moreover, the plan aims:
- To activate defence and security networks and channels in France ·
- To prepare for the possible implementation of appropriate contingency and rescue plans.
The prime minister decides when to trigger Vigipirate, as well as any changes that need to be made. However, specific measures exist for different areas of activity – which are themselves graded according to the threat – and a permanent position of preliminary security. These elements comprise the basis for applying the government’s plan at the level of a company.