Gendarmerie of Haiti

Haitian Constabulary
Gendarmerie d'Haïti
Haitian Gendarmerie
Active1915–1928
CountryHaiti
AllegianceUnited States
TypeGendarmerie
RoleMilitary police, light infantry
Size3,322 (1927)
EngagementsSecond Caco War
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Smedley Butler

The Gendarmerie of Haiti (French: Gendarmerie d'Haïti [ʒɑ̃daʁməʁi da.iti]), also known as the Haitian Constabulary, was a gendarmerie raised by the United States during its occupation of Haiti in the early 20th century. Established in late 1915, the gendarmerie was operational from 1916 until 1928, during which time it was Haiti's only military force, earning a reputation for active interference in civilian government that may have set the stage for the future politicization of Haiti's armed forces.

From 1918 to 1920 the Gendarmerie of Haiti fought the Second Caco War, one of the so-called "Banana Wars". It was reorganized as the Garde d'Haïti in 1928, forming the nucleus of what would evolve into the modern Haitian army.