The Bourg-en-Bresse prosecutor's office ordered the opening of an investigation after two complaints filed by women gendarmes for acts of sexual harassment within a gendarmerie brigade of Ain. The investigations "should make it possible to determine whether the facts are true," said the prosecution, confirming information from sources close to the case.
At the gendarmerie, it is explained that an investigation "of command" (internal) had been initiated very quickly after the facts: "From June 2, therefore even before the lodging of the complaints of the victims", one specifies. On this basis, a report was made to the public prosecutor under article 40, which obliges all officials to report a crime or an offense of which they are aware.
The man was suspended from his duties
The man was seconded to another department to keep him away from his alleged victims. He was suspended from his duties today, the same source said. "Women engaged in the police must be able to exercise their mission without this inadmissible sexual harassment! I guarantee it", reacted in a tweet the Minister Delegate for Citizenship Marlène Schiappa.
"The Ain gendarmerie has taken its responsibilities, the light is being shed #NeRienLissentPasser", adds the former Secretary of State for Equality between women and men.
Women now represent around 20% of the gendarmerie, where they were not accepted before the 1970s. Until 1982, they were only part of the administrative staff.