Police exercise at cinema CGR in Tarbes to simulate terrorist attack
By Maxence Dourlen
Published on
On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, between 8 a.m. and noon, the National Police Department of Hautes-Pyrénées (DDPN 65) conducted a large-scale security exercise at the CGR cinema in Tarbes. The operation, carried out with strict supervision, aimed to simulate a terrorist attack to test intervention procedures and service coordination.
Throughout the morning, the site was completely closed to the public, allowing the teams involved to operate under conditions similar to real life. Meticulous organization was deployed to ensure both the smooth running of the exercise and the safety of the surroundings.
Testing coordination in real conditions
The main objective of this scenario was to “strengthen the security forces’ automatic responses to a terrorist threat”. Several teams were mobilized to intervene, secure the area, and coordinate their actions.
These types of exercises, regularly organized in the area, help to “identify possible areas of improvement in crisis management”. By replicating realistic scenarios, authorities aim to improve responsiveness, communication between services, and decision-making in emergency situations.
The presence of various participants on site also allowed for “testing interactions between the actors involved, in a constrained environment and simulated pressure”.
Active participation of students
A unique aspect of this exercise was the involvement of students from Saint-Pierre school, who actively contributed to the simulation. Their participation added credibility to the scenario by replicating public behavior in a crisis situation.
This educational aspect is part of a broader initiative to raise awareness of security issues and risk management. It also enables law enforcement to adjust their interventions in the presence of civilians, especially in public places.
All participants were praised for their seriousness and commitment on social media at the end of this large-scale exercise.
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