Judicial police reform will turn into a communication war

In Bordeaux, on the linoleum of the Zonal Direction of the Judicial Police (PJ), about forty bulletproof vests, crossed with a black sticky band as a sign of mourning: on Tuesday, September 13, the Director General of the National Police, Frédéric Veau, could have dreamed of a better reception for those who came by the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanini To explain the significance of the reform implemented. At the order of the hierarchy, the vests were immediately removed. Too late, the picture has already spread on social networks.

For months, forensic police investigators have been scared to death by this massive reorganization plan. Their fear: Dealing with the sheer volume of everyday crime at the expense of the most complex investigations of organized crime or international trafficking. “core business”, they say. Place Beauvau, on the contrary, we emphasize the benefits to be gained from the shock of simplification “Waited For Forty Years” : Rationalization of resources and personnel with one director of police in each department, ending the operation “In Organ Pipes”Where each service (PJ, border police, public security, intelligence) today reports only to its central leadership.

long letter

The debate took a public turn with the creation of the National Association of Judicial Police (ANPJ) in mid-August and the appearance in several associations and unions of magistrates or prominent personalities of the judicial establishment, such as François Molin, lawyer. General at the Court of Cassation or Marc Cimamont, Prosecutor General of Versailles, are all against it “Dismantling PJ”.

From now on comes the com war. Personally, Mr. Veo, the conductor of the reform, was asked to leave his usual reserve. Someone who hates the light and has spent his entire career in civilian clothes in the advanced services of the PJ was forced to give interviews in the columns. Parisian, on Europe 1 or Franceinfo. 1^Eh In September he exchanged provincial courts with the big bosses of the police, and then distributed a long letter to reassure the troops; A week later, he accepted the unions. On Monday 12 September, the Home Secretary also wrote to the police and gendarmes to reaffirm his aim to increase the presence on public highways. In his version of the mission to the police, he added a handwritten note: “My attention will be great towards investigative services. »