French police: violent methods in question
Screenshot of an AFP video showing the beating of producer Michel Zecler in Paris.
- / Michel Zecler / GS Group AFP
Text by: Alexis Bedu Follow
5 mins
The debate is revived in France after several cases of violence in recent days in Paris, during the muscular evacuation of a migrant camp and then during an intervention at a music producer, against the backdrop of accusations of racism. and the controversial passage of a comprehensive security law.
At the center of the controversy, the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin will be heard this Monday, November 30 at the National Assembly.
Beyond the events themselves, it is the police intervention systems that are in question.
Publicity
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Bludgeoning, tripping, punches: videos and cases are on the rise.
In that of
the aggression of Michel Zecler, it is about a surge of violence of 20 minutes for a control of non-wearing of the mask.
Sudden, immediate violence that stems from the very identity of the French police.
"
In French police culture, we value much more the questioning rather than aspects such as problem solving through dialogue
," explains Mathieu Zagrozdki, researcher at the Center for Sociological Research on Law and Criminal Institutions (CESDIP)
.
In this case, we see a rush.
They trigger a control on a motive which does not require such a heavy intervention, and one attends the almost immediate use of the physical constraint where it could have been defused by the dialogue.
"
The arrests are violent - and now filmed - whether in demonstrations or in working-class neighborhoods.
“
Establishing an authority through violence
” is also this way of managing the French police which is called into question for the sociologist, specialist in the police, Christian Mouhanna.
“
This Michel affair raises the question of the tolerance of the police hierarchy in relation to certain groups
,” he explains.
We see that the Anti-Crime Brigades (BAC) are concerned about their mode of managing interactions with residents.
There, we talk about it because there is video and it happens in intramural Paris in the 17th arrondissement which is not a district of great delinquency.
But this is something that happens quite frequently in many "sensitive suburbs".
"
Distrust and feeling of impunity
The authority of the police is also increasingly contested.
The number of outrages and violence against the police rose from 22,000 in 1990 to 68,000 in 2019. This shows a growing part of the population's mistrust.
The legitimacy of the police is also undermined by this “
feeling of impunity
”.
For example, the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN) - also called “the police of the police” - took up 378 cases within the framework of the movement of “yellow vests” and only two gave rise to proposals. administrative penalties.
The use of physical force is part of the job, explains the police unions.
"
In the police like the gendarmerie, there is a notion of authority, the use of force and legitimate violence
, justifies Loïc Lecouplier, deputy secretary general of the Alliance Police union.
We have to protect people so as such, no job matches ours.
There are dysfunctions in National Education, among journalists, among lawyers.
Do we ask them each time to dissolve everything?
No, it is only when it is the national police that it is necessary to review everything
”.
Police solidarity
Many police officers have said they are shocked by this video of the Michel case.
"
No amalgamation, all police officers are not violent
", we repeat on the side of the unions.
WE TOO, THESE IMAGES SHAME US!
On this difficult day for our colleagues, total silence of the peoples, a good number of politicians, good thinkers always ready to draw to condemn and vomit on the police!
Disgusted we are, combative we remain!
pic.twitter.com/vT5VTiXNdM
- ALLIANCE PN (@alliancepolice) November 28, 2020
With 70% of union members, the French police are one of the most organized, most united professions.
On the other hand, there may be an omerta in some police stations because solidarity is extremely powerful there.
"
This solidarity will be manifested by the fact of covering a colleague when he does something which is deontologically or criminally reprehensible
," explains Mathieu Zagrodzki.
Some police say to themselves: "
I do not necessarily support but tomorrow, I may do the same stupid."
The risk you also take by "speaking" is that your working environment and your career will be deeply affected.
"
How to control the work of the French police?
The reform of the IGPN could be put back on the table.
This service of the Ministry of the Interior is considered too lax, too connive.
For its detractors, "
police officers investigating police officers
", this is not a guarantee of great independence.
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