Controversial Intervention by Municipal Police in Saint-Denis Sparks Outrage and Criticism

Controversial Intervention by Municipal Police in Saint-Denis Sparks Outrage

An intervention by the municipal police of Saint-Denis, carried out last Tuesday, has sparked outrage and criticism after a video of the incident went viral. The municipality has since defended its actions, but residents and witnesses are still in shock.

The incident occurred when the municipal police were called by a merchant in the city center who was facing the installation of an unauthorized terrace in front of a fast food restaurant. The municipal police evacuated the customers who were already seated, but one man refused to cooperate.

According to witnesses at the scene, the man did not want to submit to an identity check. However, municipal police officers are not authorized to carry out this type of act, as it falls under the jurisdiction of national police officers.

Despite this, the municipal police of Saint-Denis decided to arrest the man. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with the police arriving with dogs, making it a spectacle. Stella, a student who filmed the incident, stated, “It was completely disproportionate. It was to keep people away so that they wouldn’t see that there was violence being committed against a person on the ground.”

Jean-Pierre, another witness, added, “They jumped on him… They threw him to the ground, it goes much too far.” Witnesses also questioned the method used by the municipal police officers, which resembled a chokehold, a technique that has been banned since 2021.

In response to the criticism, the town hall of Saint-Denis defended its actions, claiming that the intervention was justified. Gwenaelle Badufle-Douchez, deputy mayor in charge of security, stated, “It is not a strangulation key. It is an arrest technique which is put in place by the police to control the individual who, when he is arrested, is alcoholic.”

She further explained that the intervention was carried out within the framework of an “anti-regrouping and anti-alcohol decree” that has been in place in the area where the fast food restaurant is located since April.

However, these explanations have failed to convince all elected officials. Éric Coquerel, the deputy for the first constituency of Seine-Saint-Denis, took to Twitter to express his concerns. He called on the mayor of the city, Mathieu Hanotin, stating, “This is not the first time that the practices of municipal police officers in Saint-Denis have been called into question.” He described the images of the arrest as “shocking.”

The incident has raised further questions about the conduct of municipal police officers in Saint-Denis and the need for clearer guidelines and oversight. The controversy surrounding this intervention highlights the importance of ensuring that law enforcement agencies act within the boundaries of the law and respect the rights of individuals.

Chloé Berthod and Bettina de Guglielmo with Amaury Tremblay

How are the actions of the municipal police officers in Saint-Denis, France viewed by different stakeholders, and what are the concerns raised about their increasing presence and powers

Ho witnessed the incident, said, “It was like something out of a movie. The police were aggressive and seemed to be enjoying the power they had over this man.”

The intervention quickly escalated when bystanders began to intervene. Some tried to film the incident, while others shouted at the police to stop. In the chaos, several people were injured, including a pregnant woman who was pushed to the ground.

The video of the incident, which was posted on social media, quickly went viral and sparked outrage among the local community. Many residents took to the streets in protest, demanding justice for the man who was arrested and for those who were injured during the intervention.

The municipality of Saint-Denis has defended the actions of its police officers, stating that they were simply carrying out their duties to maintain public order. However, critics argue that the response was excessive and that the municipal police overstepped their authority.

The incident has also raised concerns about the growing presence and powers of municipal police forces in France. These forces are often criticized for their lack of training and oversight, leading to incidents of misconduct and abuse of power.

In response to the backlash, the municipality of Saint-Denis has promised an internal investigation into the incident. They have also stated that they will review the training and protocols of their municipal police officers to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.

However, for many residents of Saint-Denis, these promises are not enough. They are demanding accountability and justice for the man who was arrested and for those who were injured during the intervention. As the investigation unfolds, the community remains united in their outrage, determined to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in their city.