French police union to sue government over mishandling of riots

Stanislas Goudon, a representative from the French national police union Alliance, comments on the recent wave of protests and violence in France from a police perspective. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT He criticised a "20 year lack of political courage" from successive French governments on security policy, contributing to the security failures witnessed last weekend. The police union is launching a liability claim against the French state for creating the conditions leading to the recent wave of violence, endangering the lives of others including national police officers, citing "competing orders", deprivation from use of intermediate weapons, and a "lack of training for teams" for keeping public order. France has last week witnessed a successive string of protests, demonstrations and violence across the country, beginning with student demonstrations for better conditions. Temporary curfews were enforced, there are repeat demonstrations planned for this upcoming weekend, and a call for a general strike from trade unions for the 5th of November.