The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

gendarmerie \gen*darm"er*ie\ n. [F. gendarmerie.]
   The French police force; the body of gendarmes or gendarmes
   collectively. [Also spelled gendarmery.]

   Syn: gendarmery.
        [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

gendarmerie
    n 1: French police force; a group of gendarmes or gendarmes
         collectively [syn: gendarmerie, gendarmery]