On Thursday, December 18, 2025, the Martinique Gendarmerie celebrated the Saint Genevieve, patron saint of the police. After the Mass held at the church in Redoute, civil and judicial authorities and security forces gathered at the Joseph France Barracks, for a more direct, more personal exchange. We were there.
As the meetings progressed, a consistent theme emerged: a total commitment to addressing the region’s security challenges, as well as a strong determination to maintain ties with the local population.
A ceremony to honor, but also to reflect on the meaning of the mission
For Yvan Carbonnelle, commander of the Martinique Gendarmerie, the Sainte-Geneviève goes beyond mere symbolism. It serves as a reminder of what the gendarmes’ mission is, at its core: to protect. To protect the territory, the institutions, but above all, the people.
Every week, several thousand calls and hundreds of emergency police responses keep units busy across the entire island. Added to this is a less visible but essential behind-the-scenes effort: the fight against trafficking. Drugs, weapons, contraband, theft, maritime trafficking… all of these phenomena, according to the general, are corroding the social fabric of Martinique and fueling violence and tensions. In response, the gendarmerie is taking action at every level—from the rank and file to the leadership—with a clear objective: to strike where it hurts the most—the wallet.
A local work that embodies tradition
The celebration of Saint Genevieve also featured a strong artistic and cultural heritage component, through the statue of the patron saint, directed by Louis Racine, a sculptor based in Le Vauclin. This work, conceived and crafted in Martinique, gives a local face to an ancient tradition of the National Gendarmerie. Through his work, the artist anchors the figure of Saint Genevieve in the Martinican landscape, creating a dialogue between republican symbolism, spirituality, and local creativity. It is also a way of reminding us that these institutional events are rooted in a vibrant region, sustained as much by its security forces as by its creative community.
The government is stepping up its efforts to address the challenges facing Martinique
Present at the barracks, Philémon Perrot, chief of staff to the prefect of Martinique, noted that the island faces specific challenges that are central to national priorities.
Resources have been bolstered: an increase in the number of gendarmes, the creation of a dedicated brigade in Saint-Pierre, and the permanent stationing of a second mobile gendarmerie squadron—amounting to nearly 80 additional officers on a long-term basis. In addition, operations have been adapted—particularly along the coastline—with the implementation of discreet yet effective surveillance operations and close coordination between the gendarmerie, police, customs, the French Navy, and intelligence services.
On the legal front, new tools are also being deployed, stemming from the recent law against drug trafficking: bans on loitering at drug dealing spots, administrative closures, and a strengthened fight against money laundering. A comprehensive response, designed for the long term.
Police and Gendarmerie: Solidarity on the Ground
On the occasion of this celebration, William Isot, a divisional commissioner and deputy regional director of the National Police in Martinique, was keen to emphasize the close daily collaboration between police officers and gendarmes. It is a true brotherhood in arms, forged by the same challenges and the same demands.
He reflected on the episodes of urban violence in recent years, which have been particularly taxing for law enforcement. These were periods marked by total commitment, numerous injuries, but also by a steadfast determination to restore public order without descending into indiscriminate violence. Despite the difficulties, the mission was accomplished, at the cost of a considerable human toll.
Justice and Security: Two Inseparable Goals
The presence of Patrice Camberoux, the attorney general at the Fort-de-France Court of Appeals, emphasized how closely the judicial process is linked to the work of law enforcement.
Homicides, attempted homicides, domestic violence, everyday crime, and organized crime: the gendarmerie is active on all fronts. The Attorney General emphasized the compassion shown by gendarmes, often in extremely difficult social situations, as well as the growing importance of combating money laundering and seizing criminal assets. For 2026, this will be a central focus: permanently neutralizing criminal networks by targeting their financial resources.
Behind the Uniform: Life Stories and Commitments
Sainte-Geneviève Day is also an opportunity to give a voice to the people who keep the institution running on a daily basis. Lucilia Bellemare, a volunteer deputy gendarme who recently joined from the civilian sector, shared her experience. Welcomed, trained, and supported, she is discovering a demanding yet open world where one is constantly learning and where everyone, regardless of their background, can find their place.
The same commitment at Karen Ocarine, Chief Sergeant and military treasurer. Assigned to the Martinique Gendarmerie Command, she emphasizes the importance of support roles—often unseen but essential to the functioning of the units. Her message is clear: serving in the gendarmerie is an honor, but also a responsibility that requires respect, discipline, and a sense of teamwork.
A connection to maintain with the community
As the discussion progressed, a consensus emerged on one point: without the public’s trust, no security policy can be sustainable. The gendarmerie is not merely a law enforcement agency; it also aims to be a force for prevention, dialogue, and community engagement.
In Redoute, this 2025 Sainte-Geneviève celebration thus took on a special significance. Beyond tradition, it showcased an institution that is actively engaged—one that is aware of the challenges but determined to act, with method, coordination, and humanity, so that Martinican society can continue to stand united.
Roland Dorival & Philippe Pied
