Laurent Nuñez defends the police. In a letter to his troops, the Paris police prefect regrets “unfair criticism” against them, while calling on them to “always provide a proportionate response” during law enforcement operations.
Accusations of police violence have targeted the police in recent weeks, in particular from left-wing politicians, in connection with the supervision by the police of the demonstrations against the pension reform. “For several days, defamatory voices have been raised (…) to question in turn your profession, your units, your vocation”, writes the prefect in this letter dated April 3.
“Intolerable public insults”
“You have suffered criticism of which I know the unjust nature and intolerable public insults”, he adds in this letter, where he thanks the police for their “sustained commitment for more than a month and a half”, “in particularly trying working conditions”. “I also know that I can count on you not to give in to too many provocations, as well as on the coolness that is yours to ensure that you always provide a proportionate response to contain abuses and violence”, continues Laurent Nuñez in the message.
“On the sidelines, images and recordings relayed on social networks may have revealed inappropriate gestures or remarks on which it is necessary to shed full light and, if necessary, to condemn”, adds the prefect of police. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin also announced on Sunday that 36 judicial investigations have been opened by the IGPN, “the police force”, and 2 by the IGGN (the equivalent for the gendarmes) since the start. mobilization against the pension reform.
An investigation was also opened at the end of March by the Paris prosecutor’s office for “public insult towards a person holding public authority”, after comments by Jean-Luc Mélenchon on the motorcycle police officers of the Brav-M, reported by Laurent Nunez.