Ethiopia is experimenting with a new model of police station called smart police station. This pilot project, installed in the Bole district of the capital, Addis Ababa, is part of a broader government effort to modernise public administration through digitalisation. The initiative is part of the national technological transformation strategy Digital Ethiopia 2030, driven by the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

As reported by Daniel Dadzie from the BBC, unlike a traditional police station, this new model operates without officers physically present to assist citizens. Instead of a counter with police officers, the space has booths with digital tablets where users can file complaints or report incidents. The system guides the citizen through a simple process: first, they must select the type of incident, such as a crime, a traffic issue, or a general inquiry, and then enter the corresponding information. Once the request is submitted, a real officer, located in a remote location, appears on a screen to continue the conversation, ask questions, and complete the report. If the situation requires it, a patrol can be sent immediately to the indicated location.

This model seeks to bring police service closer to citizens and facilitate access to reporting, especially in areas where there is a lack of police personnel or where the presence of traditional infrastructures is limited. According to project leaders, the future of security services lies in systems that are more connected to the population and with greater technological integration. Digitalisation allows for the reduction of administrative procedures, accelerates case management, and optimises available human resources.

However, the project is still in an initial phase. During its first week of operation, the smart police station only received three reports: the loss of a passport, a case of financial fraud, and a routine complaint. This reduced volume reflects that the system is still little known among the population and that it needs time for citizens to become familiar with it.

The initiative is part of a broader process of digitising public services in Ethiopia. The government has promoted various measures to modernise administration, including the creation of a national digital identity system, the expansion of electronic payments, and the digitisation of more than a hundred government services. The objective is to adapt public institutions to the needs of an increasingly urban, young, and connected society.

Despite these advances, the country still faces significant structural challenges. One of the main issues is the digital divide. According to recent data from international organisations, approximately 79% of the Ethiopian population still does not have access to the Internet. This reality limits the impact of digital initiatives and creates the risk that certain sectors of society may be excluded from new services. Elderly people, rural communities, and groups with fewer economic resources are especially vulnerable to this technological exclusion.

Another challenge is the level of digital skills. For projects like smart police stations to function correctly, citizens must have a minimum level of familiarity with digital tools. Without this technological literacy, the use of systems can become complicated or even create new forms of vulnerability, such as scams or identity theft.

There are also concerns related to information security and privacy protection. Digital reporting and data management systems require robust technological infrastructures and adequate protection mechanisms to prevent leaks or misuse of citizens’ personal information.

Despite these challenges, several experts believe that investments in digital infrastructure, connectivity, and training are essential steps to modernise the functioning of the State. The expansion of broadband, the growth of electronic payments, and the progressive digitalisation of public services indicate that Ethiopia is trying to reduce the technological gap with other countries.

In this context, the smart police station of Addis Ababa mainly represents an experiment. It is still not a consolidated model, nor does it replace traditional police stations, which remain the main point of contact between the police and the public. However, this pilot project offers a glimpse of how police services could evolve in the future, combining physical presence and digital tools to enhance efficiency and accessibility.

Ultimately, the initiative reflects Ethiopia’s ambition to move towards a more digital and efficient public administration. However, its success will depend not only on the technology implemented but also on the country’s ability to reduce the digital divide, improve the technological literacy of the population, and ensure data security. Only in this way can projects like smart police stations become a truly useful tool for reinforcing security and trust between citizens and institutions.

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During the month of February 2026, Europol supported the police authorities of Ukraine, Poland, and Moldova in a joint operation against an international criminal network involved in the production and trafficking of synthetic drugs, primarily synthetic cathinones such as alpha-PVP.

During the action day, the Ukrainian National Police and the Polish Police Central Bureau of Investigation carried out coordinated checks at approximately 510 locations. Law enforcement officers dismantled 36 illicit production sites and 74 storage facilities for drugs that are ready for distribution. A total of 129 people were investigated and 103 people were arrested.

The investigated network is suspected of operating in several countries, such as Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine. The group is presumably led by a Ukrainian organiser who establishes and equips illegal laboratories with the necessary hardware and chemical substances. Investigators believe that this individual maintains extensive connections with Polish criminal networks, facilitating the supply of precursors, essential chemicals, and equipment through legal business structures.

The operation included house searches and the inspection of other premises and vehicles. In total, the investigation involved the following confiscations:

• 20,610 litres of precursors
• 229.4 kilograms of alpha-PVP
• 156.3 kilograms of amphetamine
• 46.6 kilograms and 284 litres of phenyl-2-nitropropene
• 2 kilograms of metallic sodium
• 67.6 kilograms and 350 litres of mephedrone
• 7 kilograms of methamphetamine
• 47 kilograms of cannabis
• 5,115 MDMA tablets
• 2,000 ecstasy pills
• 1.6 million UAH (around €31,000), $167,000 (around €141,000), and €39,000 in cash
• virtual assets worth $45,000 (around €38,000)
• 41 vehicles

The criminal network employed various tactics to facilitate the operation of its illicit activities. It misused legal business structures operated by Polish and Lithuanian individuals with prior involvement in the illicit production of synthetic drugs. This allowed them to import chemicals, including precursors that are not yet subject to control, and facilitate the activities of several illegal laboratories detected in various countries. By operating in multiple member states and exploiting legal loopholes, the network increased the risk of exposure and made it difficult for law enforcement authorities to disrupt their activities.

Europol’s contribution to the operation included operational and analytical support, focusing on providing real-time data and facilitating the exchange of information during the days of action. This collaborative effort aimed to disrupt the activities of the network and strengthen the fight against the production and trafficking of synthetic drugs in Europe.

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An investigation led by Bulgaria, conducted in collaboration with the Hellenic police and with the support of Europol, has resulted in the dismantling of an organised criminal network involved in smuggling migrants from Turkey through Bulgaria and subsequently through Serbia or Romania to countries in Western Europe. The investigation was conducted within the framework of a regional operational task force established to combat smuggling networks that use Bulgaria as a trafficking country.

The police action day resulted in 16 arrests, 6 house and business searches, and the seizure of mobile devices, administrative documents, vehicle registration documents, accounting notebooks, and other records.

The migrant smuggling network operated with a pyramid structure, with members performing different roles. The core group, based in Sofia, was primarily composed of Bulgarian and Syrian nationals who acted in a highly coordinated manner. Their main role was to organise trafficking through Bulgaria while maintaining close cooperation with other criminal networks based in neighbouring countries. For example, payment for smuggling services had already been arranged before departure. Migrants were required to make a deposit through hawala offices in Turkey, from where the migrants departed.

After recruiting migrants in Turkey, the members of the criminal network smuggled them across the southern green border of Bulgaria, guiding them to predefined locations. From there, the drivers transported them to Sofia using a variety of vehicles, including cars and buses. Migrants were temporarily housed in safe houses in Sofia and its surrounding areas before being moved towards the Bulgarian-Serbian or Bulgarian-Romanian borders. In some cases, the migrants were transported directly to the border areas without temporary accommodation.

Europol carried out a wide-ranging operational analysis to identify the various targets and map their criminal activities. Europol deployed an expert in Sofia as part of the regional operational task force and was on the ground during the action day, providing real-time cross-checks with Europol databases to support the national law enforcement authorities.

Since its establishment in September 2023, Europol has been providing dedicated operational and analytical support to the operational task force led by Bulgaria. Europol organised and coordinated numerous operational meetings among stakeholders and facilitated the exchange of operational data.

Migrant smuggling continues to be a very significant criminal threat in the EU, requiring coordinated action across the entire criminal chain, from recruitment and trafficking to the financial flows that support it. Europol supports investigations through a data-driven approach, enhancing cases provided by national authorities with operational analysis and expertise. Europol also facilitates the exchange of information and coordinates joint operations to dismantle criminal networks.

To reinforce Europol’s efforts to combat migrant smuggling, Regulation (EU) 2025/2611 was adopted in December 2025. This new EU legislation underscores the importance of addressing migrant smuggling at the EU level through enhanced cooperation, including the establishment of the European Centre against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS).

When creating the ECAMS, Europol’s priority is to ensure a better systematic exchange of information and improved coordination of efforts. This includes strengthening expertise in open-source intelligence (OSINT) and financial investigations, as well as improving the operational impact of the network of liaison officers from Frontex, Eurojust, and the Member States.

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The UK government has presented the White Paper “From Local to National: A New Model for Policing“, which establishes the most profound reforms of the police system since its professionalisation two centuries ago. Announced by the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, these measures aim to adapt the police to an increasingly complex, digital, and transnational criminal environment, while strengthening community policing and citizen trust.

One of the pillars of the reform is the structural review of the police map. Currently, England and Wales have 43 local forces, a model that the government considers fragmented and inefficient. The White Paper proposes to drastically reduce this number through mergers, with the aim of improving efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring a more coherent and homogeneous response throughout the territory.

This reorganisation aims to free up resources to strengthen Neighbourhood Policing and the fight against local crime, returning the police to its fundamental principles: visible presence, community knowledge, and rapid response to incidents.

The most ambitious reform is the creation of a new National Police Service, designed to tackle the most serious and complex crimes, such as organised crime, terrorism, digital crime, and threats that transcend local borders.

This new service will integrate, under a single structure, capabilities that have until now been dispersed, such as the National Crime Agency, Counter-Terrorism policing, regional organised crime units, road policing, and police air services. The result will be a national force with improved capacity to share intelligence, technology, and resources.

At the head of the National Police Service, there will be a national commissioner, who will become the highest police authority in the country. One of its key functions will be to take over the centralised management of forensic policing, including digital forensics, to reduce delays —currently with tens of thousands of devices pending analysis— and ensure uniform technical standards.

The new national model will eliminate the duplication of recruitment and technology acquisition processes. Instead of each force purchasing its own equipment, the National Police Service will acquire materials and ICT systems centrally, generating economies of scale.

The Government estimates that these measures will allow for savings of up to 350 million pounds, which will be reinvested directly in frontline policing and in the fight against crime.

The White Paper significantly reinforces accountability mechanisms. Ministers will have new powers to intervene in underperforming forces, including the ability to dismiss police chiefs who do not meet the required standards.

Clear and comparable indicators on response times, crime resolution, victim satisfaction, and public trust will be introduced. These results will be published and will allow citizens to compare the performance of the forces.

At the same time, the individual standards of rural agents will be strengthened by:

• mandatory and stricter verification controls,
• exclusion from the profession of individuals with a history of violence against women and girls,
• mandatory suspension of agents under investigation for these crimes,
• and the introduction of a renewable professional license, similar to that of other regulated professions.

The reform establishes new national response objectives: arrival at serious incidents within a maximum of 15 minutes in urban areas and 20 minutes in rural areas, and response to emergency calls in less than 10 seconds.

In addition, the Neighbourhood Police Guarantee is expanded, ensuring that each electoral district has assigned, identifiable, and accessible officers with a deep understanding of local issues. The Government is also promoting a programme to recruit university graduates, inspired by the Teach First model, to attract young talent to community policing roles.

With an investment of over £140 million, the Government is committed to police technology. They highlight the expansion of live facial recognition, the deployment of artificial intelligence tools to analyse images and digital evidence, and the creation of the national centre Police.

These tools will reduce bureaucratic burdens and return millions of hours of work to the front line of policing, increasing the presence of officers on the street.

Finally, the White Paper introduces new national leadership in public order, with the capacity to coordinate resources in situations of serious disorder, and significantly strengthens support for the mental health of the officers. There is also a goal to revitalize the Special Police, particularly by incorporating technical profiles and cybersecurity experts, to more effectively combat modern crime.

Overall, the White Paper outlines a profound structural change: a more centralised police force for major crimes, closer to citizens at the local level, with higher standards, more technology, and stricter governance. An ambitiously designed model to respond to the security challenges of the 21st century.

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A former undercover officer of the Metropolitan Police of London, Mark Jenner, internally identified as agent HN15, has begun to testify before the UK Undercover Policing Inquiry, a public process that examines decades of covert operations against social, political, and trade union movements. Jenner operated during the nineties under the false identity of Mark Cassidy, infiltrating a left-wing activist group in East London, primarily linked to the Colin Roach Centre, a community and anti-racist organization, according to reports from BBC.comhand in hand with the researcher Ayshea Buksh.

One of the most serious aspects of the case is that Jenner maintained an intimate and cohabiting relationship for five yearswith an activist known as ” Alison ” (a fictitious name), while simultaneously being married and having children. The relationship included cohabitation, holidays in the United Kingdom and abroad, attendance at weddings, religious celebrations, and family gatherings. Alison considered Jenner her stable partner and was completely unaware that he was undercover police.

As stated in the investigation, this relationship was not clearly or honestly reflected in the official reports that Jenner submitted to his superiors at Scotland Yard. While with Alison, several trips were recorded administratively, such as operational meetings or follow-ups on political activities, when in reality they were personal holidays, including trips to Israel, Thailand, and Amsterdam. The personal photographs and videos presented in the investigation have confirmed this double life.

Alison recently testified before the investigation, just like Jenner’s ex-wife, who appeared anonymously. Both women have explained how they were simultaneously deceived for years, and they have pointed out that the police system allowed—through action or omission—this sustained deception. According to Alison, there are so many layers of lies that it is hard to believe that the direct commanders were not aware of it, or that they acted with serious incompetence.

During his initial statement, Jenner claimed that, in the context of infiltration, he considered it “necessary” to engage in sexual relations with women to preserve his cover, although he denied that sexual gratification was a benefit of the job. This statement has been met with strong indignation from the victims and their representatives, as it reinforces the perception that intimate relationships were used as an operational tool, despite the profound emotional impact on the affected individuals.

Alison has described the psychological consequences of discovering the truth as devastating, stating that she was very angry, deeply distressed, and physiologically altered. Over time, she has reinterpreted multiple episodes of the relationship as signs of deception: inexplicable absences, contradictions about his family, and even the discovery of a bank card belonging to M. Jenner, which he justified with a false story.

The case of Jenner is not an isolated incident. The investigation has revealed that at least 50 women may have been similarly deceived by undercover agents over several decades. This pattern has been described by victims as a form ofinstitutional abuse, with clear components of sexism, emotional manipulation, and violation of fundamental rights. Alison, along with other affected women, has promoted the platform Police Spies Out of Our Lives, aimed at raising awareness of the cases and demanding political and legal accountability.

From an institutional standpoint, the Metropolitan Police has publicly acknowledged the serious misconduct and completely unacceptable behaviour of some undercover officers and their superiors. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell has issued an unreserved apology to the affected women, admitting that these relationships were abusive, misleading, andwrong, and that they have eroded public trust in a policing tactic that, in other contexts, is considered legitimate for ensuring safety.

The police maintain that undercover work has been profoundly reformed in recent decades, with much stricter legal, ethical, and oversight frameworks. However, victims demand that these reforms be accompanied by real accountability, including the withdrawal of honours and recognitions from officers involved in abuse cases, as well as legislative changes that explicitly prohibit intimate relationships in undercover operations.

The investigation remains open, and Mark Jenner will testify for several more days. The affected women demand complete truth, clear responsibilities, and the recognition that the damage suffered was not due to individual abuse, but rather the result of a system that allowed and normalised deeply abusive practices under the guise of state security.

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Europol supported and coordinated with the law enforcement authorities of Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, and Serbia in carrying out a large-scale operation targeting a prominent cell of the so-called Balkan cartel. During the action day carried out in December 2025 in Germany, three suspects were arrested and more than 5 million euros in criminal assets were seized.

The coordinated operation targeted several high-value targets (HVT) residing in Germany, who are believed to be key figures within the Balkan cartel. The investigation revealed that this criminal cell was responsible for shipments of several tonnes of cocaine originating from Colombia and used various methods to smuggle drugs into Europe. The network was also involved in money laundering through companies and real estate in several countries within the European Union and beyond.

The police action, in which 500 law enforcement agents participated in the arrests and searched 45 locations, marks the culmination of a complex investigation into large-scale drug trafficking, money laundering, and arms trafficking. During the searches, approximately 50,000 euros in cash, two gold coins, numerous luxury items such as jewellery, watches, handbags, three high-value vehicles, as well as properties both in Germany and abroad were seized. In addition, several documents and electronic equipment were found and confiscated, as well as a firearm loaded with ammunition.

The three suspects arrested during the action day played various roles within the criminal network, such as financiers, coordinators, and logistics experts. The main suspect, who originates from the Balkan Peninsula and resides in Germany, is known for using a distinctive cocaine logo as a trademark.

In previous operations, Europol and its partner countries have already inflicted significant blows to the Balkan cartel. This includes numerous arrests made in recent years (for example, 13 arrests in May 2023 and 21 arrests in October 2023 during the action days). Europol played a crucial role in facilitating constant coordination, the exchange of information, and the provision of continuous analytical support to the investigation. The information developed during the operation revealed a sophisticated and well-organised network operating across continents and countries.

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Last November 2025 marked a turning point in the fight against the illegal trafficking of works of art and cultural goods in Europe. During an action day coordinated by the Bulgarian authorities, with the support of Europol and the participation of agents from up to six countries, an extensive criminal network dedicated to the looting and illicit trade of Greco-Roman and Thracian antiquities was dismantled.

This operation is the result of years of research and international cooperation and puts the spotlight on a phenomenon that has a major impact on European and world cultural heritage.

It all started in 2020, when a house raid in Bulgaria culminated in the seizure of 7,000 priceless cultural assets. The lack of reliable documentation and the large number of objects set off all the alarms: it was, in all probability, one of the largest sets of looted antiquities discovered in the country.

Among these objects were:

• masks and antique jewellery,
• military equipment,
• ceremonial vases and cups,
• unique pieces dating back to 2000 BC.

Since then, the collection has been kept in custody at the Bulgarian National History Museum, while a far-reaching investigation progressed that has ultimately revealed a highly organised cross-border criminal network.

The action day was as impressive as it was meaningful:

• 35 arrests in Bulgaria.
• 131 searches in several countries (Bulgaria, Albania, France, Germany and Greece).
• More than 3,000 goods seized, including gold and silver coins.
• Total estimated value: more than 100 million euros.
• In addition, works of art, weapons, documents, electronic equipment, gold and more than 50,000 euros in cash were seized.

The main High Value Target (HVT) of the investigation is suspected of financing illegal excavations in Bulgaria and other Balkan countries. The mechanism was clear: groups of local looters excavated archaeological sites to order, and intermediaries laundered the pieces through the international art market.

The case highlights a reality well known to investigators: the art market is a fertile ground for criminal activities. The demand for unique objects and the difficulty of verifying their provenance facilitate the entry of illegally looted artefacts.

The Balkans and Italy, rich in Greco-Roman archaeological heritage, have been the target of antiquities trafficking networks for decades. And this problem is not local: pieces from conflict zones such as Syria or Iraq are often mixed in.

Since 2024, a Europol task force has been instrumental in connecting dots, linking suspects and identifying devices scattered across several countries. This model of cooperation – combining analytics, information sharing and joint actions – is more necessary today than ever.

The dismantling of the network is an important victory but also a reminder: the protection of cultural heritage requires constant vigilance and coordinated global efforts.

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In early November 2025, Europol welcomed 191 experts from 51 countries to its headquarters in the Hague for the latest edition of the Annual Drug Conference. The discussions focused on emerging trends in the production and trafficking of synthetic drugs, the challenges posed by cocaine trafficking, and strategies to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against these threats. Participants also explored innovative methods to dismantle the criminal networks involved in drug trafficking.

The trade in illicit drugs continues to be a significant threat to the internal security of the EU. In particular, synthetic drugs are very dynamic, with changing routes and a variety of criminal actors. They are produced on a large scale in the EU, both for local markets and for export abroad.

Given the seriousness of the matter, Europol has made the fight against synthetic drug trafficking a top priority. In this context, the agency has provided support to two major operations in recent weeks targeting the entire supply chain:

1.- Criminal network dismantled in Central and Eastern Europe

On 11 November 2025, law enforcement agencies dismantled an international criminal network supplying key precursors used to produce methamphetamine and operating across Europe. Authorities in Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova, with the support of Europol, participated in the investigation. Eurojust set up and funded the joint investigation team between the Czech, Romanian and Moldovan authorities, which enabled them to track the flow of illicit substances and communications and gather evidence for the prosecution of the criminal group.

The action day involved:

• 16 arrests (1 in Bulgaria, 11 in Czechia, 2 in Hungary and 2 in Moldova).
• 18 searches (3 in Czechia, 2 in Hungary, 1 in Romania and 12 in Moldova).
• 3 clandestine drug laboratories dismantled in Hungary and Moldova.
• Seizure of synthetic drugs and chemical materials for producing methamphetamine, including more than 5 kg of methamphetamine, 40 kg of pills containing ephedrine, 50 litres of toluene, 0.5 kg of phosphorus, 280 kg of caustic soda, and 70 kg of chemical production waste.
• Seizure of two vehicles used to transport drugs.
• Seizure of electronic devices and cash.

The suspects were involved in all stages of the drug production chain: they imported chemicals, produced synthetic drugs, and smuggled them in the luggage of aeroplanes and in hidden compartments of vehicles to avoid detection by authorities.

2.- In addition, in an unprecedented operation in the EU, the authorities seized more than 40 tonnes of precursors intended for the production of MDMA, amphetamine and methamphetamine in Hungary and Germany. The investigation lasted two years, and the most recent action took place on 4 and 5 November 2025, resulting in:

• 4 arrests
• 8 property searches
• Synthetic drugs seized
• Seized precursors and chemicals
• Vehicles, jewellery and electronic devices seized
• €67,000 in cash seized

The investigation revealed that the precursors were shipped from China to the ports of Hamburg and Rotterdam. There, they were collected by members of the criminal network and sent to Hungary for further distribution. The perpetrators operated in many European countries and had the capacity to supply large quantities of chemicals, enabling large-scale drug production.

The criminal network targeted by this operation was linked to several shipments of precursor chemicals seized between 2023 and 2025. During this period, the authorities intercepted almost 32 tonnes of precursors in Hungary and more than 10 tonnes in Germany.

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In recent weeks, law enforcement, border guards, and labour and tax authorities across Europe have joined forces to identify and combat labour exploitation. This recent edition of the EMPACT Joint Action Days focused on human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, with special emphasis on the agricultural sector, gastronomy, and temporary employment agencies.

In particular, the authorities involved also took measures against the exploitation of third-country nationals and refugees. Led by France and the Netherlands, and carried out by authorities from 32 countries with the support of Europol and the European Labour Authority (ELA), the action days resulted in the arrest of 54 individuals and the identification of 404 potential victims of human trafficking.

Generally, the results of the action include:

• 22,296 officers from law enforcement and labour and tax authorities who participated in the action.

• 194,995 entities checked (including 73,218 individuals, 11,815 locations, 26,412 vehicles, and 83,958 documents).

• 93 individuals suspected of human trafficking identified (of which 92 for labour exploitation).

• 54 people arrested for various crimes (of which 44 for labour exploitation).

• 404 potential victims of human trafficking identified (of which 393 potential victims of labour exploitation).

• 341 new investigations in various crimes initiated (of which 43 are for labour exploitation).

The aim of this recurrent action is for the authorities to focus on the most relevant or widespread forms of labour exploitation in their respective countries. Inspections were carried out across a wide range of sectors, such as catering, gastronomy, food delivery, food and meat processing, beauty services, domestic healthcare, logistics and distribution, agriculture, construction, and mining.

Some countries have confirmed various modus operandi in human trafficking for agricultural and labour exploitation. These include discrepancies between employee payments and working hours, violations of minimum wage laws, undeclared work, illegal schemes operated by temporary employment agencies, breaches of maximum working hours, poor housing conditions provided by employers, the employment of minors, debt bondage, and work without permits. In addition, third-country nationals may use similar documents, counterfeit passports, and counterfeit residence permits. In general, cases of labour exploitation and forced labour are significantly underreported and do not reflect the true magnitude of the problem.

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The deterioration of police-population relations can be explained, in part, by the predominance of a short-term martial and political logic. This model is detrimental to citizens, victims of brutal practices, and to police officers, exposed to ill-defined and risky missions.

This idea is drawn from research conducted by Marie Lajus, senior official, former prefect and police commissioner; Jacques de Maillard, university professor; and Marc-Olivier Padis, Director of Studies at Terra Nova.

A recent inspection report notes a deterioration in the bond of trust between the internal security forces and the population. The gap between the population’s expectations and understanding of service priorities is obvious. This deterioration is not only worrisome because of user dissatisfaction. It also leads to less effective security policy action. The feeling of distance between the police and society hinders police work.

Opportunities for contact between the police and the population take place all too often during control interactions, in a coercive logic and sometimes in an offensive way, which creates a climate of distrust unfavourable to police work.

It also places agents in conflicting situations where their responsibility may be questioned. A police malaise is evident during a number of missions for which they are not prepared, or which are only aimed at the apparent deployment of force and repressive action. This discomfort is partly linked to the conditions and the general posture of intervention, in a context of permanent operational tension.

Police action during the health crisis was guided by official instructions in an essentially repressive direction. The police and gendarmerie forces were mobilised massively to verify the application of the confinement and its different measures (certificates, closing of squares, use of masks, etc.). In total, some 100,000 officers, i.e. almost all the personnel dedicated to public roads, were mobilised daily for this action.

The dominance of a primarily coercive mode of intervention, based on obsolete conceptions of crowd management and deterrence through the display of force, leads to situations of collective failure for which officers pay the price (injuries, degraded image, risk of criminal harassment).

But the benefits in terms of communication remain strong enough for political leaders to persist in the cul-de-sac. The yellow vests movements present a special case since it was not a matter of the police confronting organised demonstrations, with a declared route, identified organisers, responsible interlocutors, a controlled ritual. By default, in the eyes of the Ministry of the Interior, these were not demonstrations but rallies, i.e., a qualification that authorised the legal use of force in a much broader way.

In neighbouring countries, a completely different approach has been observed. For example, in the Netherlands, police action was carried out in a spirit of prevention, dialogue and accountability. The slogan chosen was not that of the “war against the virus” launched by the President of the Republic in France and then relayed from the Prime Minister to all hierarchical levels. The collective Dutch slogan was: “together, control the epidemic“.

The Dutch case shows that another strategy for managing containment was possible by emphasising contact with the population, prevention messages and support. The British police implemented practices according to a 4 E (Engage, Explain, Encourage, Enforce) approach, of which the coercion dimension was thus only one of the four dimensions, and whose evaluations have shown that it has helped to maintain or even develop public goodwill. In contrast, the numbers policy, which has already shown its limits, does not value any of the professional skills of the police. It only works on fear of the uniform or punishment, to the detriment of building a lasting bond between the police and society. This must involve strengthening the initial and continuing training of officers in charge of internal security, which is currently too limited in duration and insufficiently adapted in terms of content and preparation for the profession.

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