Identification of police officers in demonstration: an urgent legal action so that the obligation is respected

Since 2014, police and gendarmes must wear an individual identification number on their uniform. This RIO (repository of identities and organization), makes it possible to find a civil servant in the event of slippage. But in practice, this obligation is far from being generalized, for example during law enforcement operations.

This is what four organizations of magistrates, lawyers and human rights defenders want to put an end to by filing an urgent appeal before the Council of State on Wednesday, to make effective the obligation imposed on the forces of the order to wear their numbers, especially in demonstrations. The case will be heard in open court on Monday morning.

These organizations (the League of Human Rights, the Syndicate of Lawyers of France, the Syndicate of the Judiciary and the Action of Christians Against Torture) had already filed a classic appeal in September, which is still under investigation. . They now believe that “the question has become urgent with regard to the management of the maintenance of order” in the context of the mobilization against the pension reform, they say in their request.

“Attacks on the freedom to demonstrate”

The organizations argue that the “unjustified” or “disproportionate” use of force has been observed and documented “on many occasions” during demonstrations and rallies – declared or not – against the pension reform. It was also “noted” during this social movement that “police officers do not wear their RIO in general”, they say.