UK Man Arrested for Street Photography

[gb hill]

The hats are called "kepi". The reason they look different is the "stripes" for different ranks. As to the ranks I don't know, but note that these guys are "Gendarmes" and as such are classed as "military" as opposed to the "Police National" who are civil police.
This is reflected in the name; gen d'armes, which means people of arms, or army.

Interesting learning little tidbits of different culture. Thank you Pitxu.