In 2018, Cyril Cros, Bordeaux policeman, co-founded
the Assopol association which aims to help members of the police in the event of suffering at work, in a spirit of mutual aid between colleagues. Based in Pessac, the association has around twenty volunteers across France and participates in around one hundred interactions per month. Cyril Cros, himself a victim of burnout, answered questions from 20 minutes on the work of the association, whose activity is developing more and more.
What is the role of Assopol?
We are not in competition with administrative services (such as the operational psychological support service SSPO for example), but we are complementary. Many colleagues are reluctant to ask for fear of being singled out or shelved. We are not therapists but police officers like the others and we try to remove their blockages, by talking. In 75% of cases the discussion [par une boîte de dialogue ou par téléphone] is enough. It allows to defuse situations, and to join a person of the entourage in addition. But, we are not sorcerer’s apprentices and depending on the case, we also refer to specialists. Donations to the association make it possible to cover excess fees for consultations concerning them.
Between colleagues, the discussion is easier?
Yes, we are not in the judgment, we speak as colleagues. So we serve a little as an outlet or even a punching bag, but for example, I see that with my 25 years in the police, I have often gone through operations similar to theirs. Each profession has its codes and the fact that we are members of the police force reassures the colleagues who call on us.
Why do colleagues crack and need to confide in you?
In many cases, those who ask us have 15 to 20 years of careers behind them and must face death every day: sudden infant death, accidental death, assault etc. It is an overflow in the face of these violent events, which do not necessarily concern them directly, which leads them to need help. They find themselves powerless to deal with the distress of others after a while and have to deal with exhaustion. When you get overwhelmed, everything can get mixed up and even ruin your personal life.
Do you have the feeling that the situation of professions linked to law enforcement is deteriorating?
It is society that is evolving towards more violence on a daily basis. For example, sometimes just taking people’s identities can be a source of conflict that people don’t understand. They always have something to complain about. And since we represent the State, the outlet is easy. But it’s tiring when it’s repetitive, you want to take your shoes and your backpack and go to the middle of the mountain. Afterwards, we must also get out of the cliché about the insults and tags addressed to the police, which are the result of a minority. People rely on the police and we receive a lot of messages of support. The advantage of colleagues (from Nouvelle-Aquitaine) compared to the Paris region, or to large metropolises like Lyon Marseille or even Toulouse, is that after work, they always have the possibility of getting some fresh air elsewhere.