Municipal police stayed in bases during violence

On Saturday, the municipal police in Paris did not actively engage in the streets during the violence that occurred, according to Anthony Samama, deputy mayor of the 15th arrondissement responsible for municipal police, public safety, prevention, and assistance to victims. Samama stated that the municipal police command center ordered all territorial divisions to return to their bases and not to leave, except for exceptional missions and very specific cases.

Dispute over police activity

Ariel Weil, PS mayor of Paris-Centre, claimed that the municipal police were active during the violence, but Samama refuted this, stating that more than 90% of the personnel were confined to their bases. Samama argued that the municipal police, armed only with batons and tear gas grenades, would have been targets due to their visible police uniforms and could have been useful in deterring looters.

Limited role of municipal police

Samama emphasized that the municipal police could have played a complementary role in preventing looting by small delinquents, even without weapons. However, he noted that the Paris executive has chosen not to equip them with lethal weapons, opting for a "Canada dry" police model composed of what he described as "boy scouts or social workers."

Criticism of police model

Samama criticized the ideological stance of the Paris executive, stating that the role of the municipal police is not to secure public space but to serve as a police force of proximity for prevention and pacification. He argued that this approach works in quiet villages but not in a city like Paris, which is described as the most delinquent city in France.

Officers' reactions to orders

Samama also mentioned that some municipal police officers were disgusted by the order to remain in their bases and considered resigning, while others were happy to be assigned to their headquarters. He noted that some officers did go out on very rare exceptions, but no one defied the order.

Lack of preparedness criticized

Samama criticized the lack of preparedness by the Prefecture of Police and the Paris City Hall, which left trash cans, construction equipment, and bikes in the streets, which were later used as weapons against the police and shops. He expressed hope that Parisians would hold their elected officials accountable for the chaos, regardless of political affiliation.

Call for arming municipal police

Samama stated that he would continue to request the arming of the municipal police, including the use of tasers, at the next Paris Council meeting. He believes that the Paris executive will only consider arming the municipal police when a municipal police officer is injured.