Crime and Justice Atlas

How Justice Is Served
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme
Criminal Justice Institution

Surete Nationale

soo-reh-TAY na-syoh-NAL
Also Known As Brigade de Surete
National and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies

The French national security police, growing from the Brigade de Surete that Eugene Francois Vidocq organized informally at the end of 1811 and that was formally established in October 1812 under the Prefecture of Police, the origin of plainclothes criminal investigation. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Institution TypeSourced to the subject's own account
National police force 1
Founded Year
1812 1
Sourced to the subject's own accountThe year Vidocq's Brigade de Surete began operating in Paris.
HeadquartersSourced to the subject's own account
Paris, France 1
Institution Type
Institution Type (category)Sourced to the subject's own account
Law Enforcement Agency 1
Surete Nationale
Filter Results1 entry
Connections

Associated With

Vidocq's successor as head of the Surete after Vidocq's November 1832 resignation.

Source Wikipedia: Eugene Francois Vidocq

Founded By

Source Wikipedia: Eugene Francois Vidocq
In the Other Atlases
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Eugene Francois Vidocq
  • Founding of the security brigade, 1811
    At the end of 1811, Vidocq informally organized a plainclothes unit, the Brigade de Surete ("Security Brigade").
  • Founded By: Eugene Francois Vidocq
  • Associated With: Pierre Allard, article body, succession after 1832 resignation
    Vidocq's successor was Pierre Allard.
View the Source
Frequently Asked Questions

Was Vidocq himself a criminal before he ran the Surete?

Yes. He spent much of his early adult life in and out of prison for petty crimes and forgery before offering his services to the Paris police in 1809, then founded and led the Brigade de Surete, staffed largely with agents who were themselves former convicts.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.