Restructuring of the gendarmerie in Turkey: A comparative study with the European gendarmerie force member countries

This study, in the context of the restructuring of Turkey's gendarmerie, is intended to make recommendations by making comparisons between the members of European Gendarmerie Force (EGF). In the study, the Turkish gendarmerie and the members of the EGF with law enforcement forces with military status, were examined. The answer to the question "what are the structural similarities of the reconstructed Turkish gendarmerie organization with their counterparts in the EGF?" was searched. In the study focusing on the reconstruction process of the gendarmerie, the members of the EGF; consisting France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Lithuania, which is an associate member; are examined in terms of historical development, allegiance status, organizational structure, duties and personnel resources. As a result, the reconstructed Turkish gendarmerie organization has shown concrete structural similarities with the EGF member countries. In the study, it has been determined that; the gendarmerie components of the member states are subordinated to Ministry of Interior and/or Ministry of Defense and that there are structural similarities with the Turkish gendarmerie organization, in the fields of organizational structures, personnel resources and duties assigned. The source of this situation is France. The fact that the gendarmerie first emerged in France, sufficient experience they have and their centralized structure, are indications of France as an example to other EGF member countries. In the study, it was determined that, when the Turkish gendarmerie organization was completely connected to the Ministry of Interior, all law enforcement agencies were united under one roof. While in the provinces, the gendarmerie was governed by the governorship and district governors, and the coordination and administration were more effective in the provision of security and public order. Furthermore, an increase has been observed in the number of the gendarmerie staff, compared to the previous years and the concept of "professional personnel" instead of obligatory recruiting, has been stated as a necessity.