Samuel Norha has been a news reporter in Rennes since 2006 for the largest newspaper in France, West France. Often wearing a hood over his head, the man is known as the white wolf in the Breton capital. Every day, he travels through our city to reveal its dark side. And for some time now, it has been served! Between settling scores and drug trafficking, violence is plaguing neighborhoods, all the way to the city center.
During his criminal wanderings (and his numerous scoops), Samuel is regularly in contact with members of the BAC (Anti-Criminality Brigade), nicknamed the “baceux”. Over the years, he has forged links with these men in the shadows. “Obviously, I quickly met the guys from the BAC, present on all grounds, in all sectors. When you meet them once, ten, thirty, forty times, you end up creating relationships and chatting with them,” confides Samuel Nohra.
But who really are these men in the shadows? “Everyone knows they are there, but no one really knows them. I wanted to know more,” replies the author. For his book, Samuel Nohra met Pierrot, the big guy, the colonel, Banban and Alex. He told their story, their commitment through portraits assembled in the style of Delerm. “In their missions, they always go to the end. And if it is necessary to challenge, they challenge even in situations which can turn out to be very complicated. »
I didn’t want to write a book on the national police, approved by the Ministry of the Interior. I wanted to be completely free,” assures Samuel Norhra.
Here or there, the local slips in confidences. He humanizes these “baceux”, far from the Epinal image of cowboys. “Many live outside Rennes,” adds Samuel Norhra. “They need to distance themselves from the violence of everyday life. » Sometimes, the journalist-writer reveals their inexpressible goodness. Like the colonel, who remembers: “I remember a 19-year-old boy whom I arrested for drug charges. I talked with him, and he ended up going back to school. He left for Canada, and returned to France as a football player. »
Without seeking authorization from the police hierarchy, Samuel carried out a truly immersive investigation. He revealed the moods of the police officers, their frustrations, particularly when they manage violent demonstrations rather than pursuing delinquents. Often, Samuel Norha even becomes their “gun-bearer” to denounce the lack of resources, the judicial burden, the long days. “These police officers sometimes feel like they are skimming the ocean with a teaspoon. »
They are human beings like you and me. They have their gifts, their fears, but I think they care about their job. »
By closing Roazhon Bac, the reader will know more about these cops, about their lives before putting on the uniform, and about their dangerous missions. “Their job is quite physical. Most have been injured at least once. When they leave for work in the morning, they are not sure they will return! » Fortunately, solidarity is not an empty word within the BAC. “It’s a second family. They meet for parties, meals, to clear their minds. » In this work, Samuel certainly goes beyond preconceived ideas. “These police officers are often very criticized. They are called fascists. But during their interventions, they do not see skin color. They simply track down delinquents. Their mission is simple: take the flag! » Roazhon bacportraits from the BAC of Rennes, at the price of 15 euros. All royalties will be donated to a medical cause (another passion of Samuel’s!).
