I don't remember quite well for RAID, but GIGN stands for Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale There are two distinct (and long ago separated until a few monthes ago with the measures of security minister) groups of official laW/order defenders. the Police on a way (i think RAID are part of them) and the "gendarmery" who, contrary to police, are part of military/army (and GIGN is part of them) GIGN is an elite group of strike team/itnervention squad with variosu tasks, mainly support or main attack force against criminal organisatiosn such as drugs or bootlegers, or organised crimes and such. They have to strike fast, with very little preparation/planning in urgency RAID (fro what i recall of them) are more specialised in static/plannified assaults, especially during hostages abduction. of course my memories are not very precises and accurate but i guess some ressources can be found on internet about both. I even guess that army minister and innersecurity minister both have some information page about them, for recruiting youths...