The cases concern police officers who used their weapon after refusing to comply.

This Tuesday, the institution announces that the Defender of Rights has decided to “ex officio” take up these three files, confirming information from the newspaper

Le Monde.

These three files concern four people who died: a motorist on March 26 in Sevran, two men in a car on April 24 on the Pont-Neuf in Paris and a passenger in a vehicle in the 18th arrondissement of the capital on June 4.

"In view of the seriousness of the consequences of the shootings and sometimes of the type of weapons used, the Defender of Rights considers that it is necessary to study the conditions in which one or more weapons were used according to the rules of ethics applicable to police officers”, specifies the institution, requested by AFP.

General or individual recommendations

The Defender of Rights is in charge of the external control of the rules of ethics of the security forces and can take action ex officio when made aware of facts of particular gravity.

After having obtained the authorization to investigate from the rightful claimants and the judicial authority, the defender Claire Hédon has the possibility of requesting the communication of administrative and judicial documents, proceeding with hearings of miscause and witnesses and carrying out checks.

Then, the investigation leads to a decision with general or individual recommendations, such as disciplinary proceedings.

From intentional homicide to the absence of prosecution

The three cases studied are currently experiencing different legal consequences.

At the beginning of April, the policeman who had shot and killed a motorist during a check in Sevran (Seine-Saint-Denis) was indicted for "willful violence resulting in death without intention of giving it".

A month later, the agent who killed near the Pont-Neuf with an assault rifle two men suspected of having restarted hastily towards a patrol, was indicted in particular for "intentional homicide".

At the beginning of June, the three civil servants who fired in the 18th arrondissement during a check on a car which allegedly drove into them, fatally shooting a passenger and seriously injuring the driver, were released from police custody without legal proceedings at this time. stadium.

More frequent shots than before

Since 2017, the number of shootings at moving vehicles has increased compared to previous years, according to the latest report from the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN).

Thus, 202 openings of fire were recorded in 2017 against 137 in 2016. For three years, the use of the weapon has stabilized around 150 annual shots.

Investigation opened after the shooting of a police officer against a fugitive in Carcassonne

Policeman shoots motorist after refusing to comply

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  • Police violence

  • Policeman

  • Defender of rights