The rise of municipal police forces under debate
With the municipal elections in March approaching, the role and rise of municipal police forces are sparking debate among mayors. The examination by the Sénat of a bill aimed at expanding their prerogatives has revived questions about the division of responsibilities regarding security.
The commission des lois du Sénat proposes to further extend the judicial powers of municipal police officers. This issue has been under debate for 20 years.
A question of authority and powers
If the municipal police obtain judicial police powers, they should be placed under the authority of the procureur de la République. The sociologist Virginie Malochet highlights the importance of involving citizens in the development of public policies.
She warns about the risks of participatory mechanisms that would not reflect the real diversity of populations, to the detriment of minority or marginalized groups.
The boundary between public tranquility — the responsibility of municipalities — and security, a prerogative of the State, tends to blur.
Over the past twenty years, staff numbers have increased by 56%. Many elected officials link this increase to perceived cuts in the police nationale or the gendarmerie.
Mayors explain this rise in power as a logic of compensation in the face of growing expectations from residents regarding daily security. Municipal police forces are evolving towards more interventionist practices, accompanied by a change in image.
A bill to adapt the framework
The bill currently being debated introduces several measures. It provides for the financial participation of regions in equipping municipal police and easier recruitment of temporary police assistants.
It offers increased opportunities for pooling resources and better coordination with internal security forces. This project responds to criticisms of a framework deemed outdated and inadequate, which hinders the work of officers.
Recent events highlight the tensions these local forces can face, such as the attack at the Jean-Macé school in Nice last year or the assault on a teacher in Sanary-sur-Mer.
Bernard Bertucco Van Damme