About half of the police force is military in the first place (Gendarmerie). It's typically split between the purely civilian National Police (urban areas) and Gendamerie (everywhere else).
In any case, if there is any sort of kidnapping or hostage taking they send the tactical units.
To foreigners, GIGN is perhaps best known for being one of the counter-terrorist teams in the Counter Strike game.
Here's an example of an intervention, a video where they shoot in a guy's leg (long distance, with a submachine gun...), to prevent him from shooting himself:
In any case, if there is any sort of kidnapping or hostage taking they send the tactical units.
To foreigners, GIGN is perhaps best known for being one of the counter-terrorist teams in the Counter Strike game.
Here's an example of an intervention, a video where they shoot in a guy's leg (long distance, with a submachine gun...), to prevent him from shooting himself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bx5PRqYAig