Christian Prouteau

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Christian Prouteau (born on the 7 April 1944) is a French officer of the Gendarmerie Nationale. He was involved in the organisation of the GIGN and the GSPR.

[edit] Biography

Prouteau graduated from Saint-Cyr in 1969. He joined the Commandos of the Gendarmerie and became an instructor. In 1973, in response to the Munich massacre, French authorities decided to create an elite unit capable of countering acts of terrorism ; Prouteau was selected to organise the GIGN.

Prouteau lead GIGN for 9 years, leading 64 interventions. He was severely wounded in 1980.

From 1982 to 1988, Prouteau directed the Antiterrorist cell of the Élysée. Prouteau organised the security of the 1992 Winter Olympics.

He now ranks as a préfet.