Europe 1 with AFP 2:30 p.m., February 25, 2024
In the event of violence, theft or fraud in particular, it is now possible to file a complaint remotely, without this video complaint being obligatory, according to a decree published on Sunday in the Official Journal.
In the event of violence, theft or fraud in particular, it is now possible to file a complaint remotely, without this video complaint being obligatory, according to a decree published on Sunday in the Official Journal.
Complaints by videoconference were tested in Sarthe and several towns in Yvelines, via a FranceConnect identifier.
The service, free, is generalized to the entire territory from Monday.
Concretely, victims can choose an appointment slot, and make their statement from their home or a “place where they will not be exposed to the gaze of others”, indicates the Ministry of the Interior on its site.
The person identifies himself in a “secure manner using a defined teleservice”, indicates the decree published on Sunday.
We also need a means of telecommunications that can allow “faithful, loyal and confidential transmission of exchanges” with the police officer and of sufficient quality to ensure the identity of the victim.
Complaints for sexual assault will still have to be made in person
The report is then sent electronically to the victim who must confirm that the transcription is accurate.
The remote complaint is optional, and does not prevent a subsequent hearing by investigators "if the nature or seriousness of the facts justifies it", the decree further details.
The text arises from the orientation and programming law of the Ministry of the Interior (Lopmi) passed in January 2023 and provided with an additional 15 billion euros over five years, half of which dedicated to digital.
A face-to-face hearing must be conducted by judicial police officers or agents in the event of a complaint relating to sexual assault or sexual abuse, further specifies its implementing decree.