Estate police to film themselves

As two officers are questioned over an assault caught on camera phone a police chief wants to show how they are treated

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THE chief of police in the notorious Seine-Saint-Denis district of Paris wants officers to be filmed on duty to show the violence they are subjected to.

His call comes after two officers were placed under investigation for attacking a young man whose neighbour – who regularly films scenes in the area - caught the assault on camera.

The film was sent to the police watchdog IGS and uploaded onto the internet.

Police chief Jean-François Herdhuin said police cameramen would be able to show violence from their perspective.

He said the assault by the officers was “inexcusable” but people should view it “in a wider perspective”.

“Our officers work in a climate of violence,” he said. He added that 185 officers and staff had been injured since the beginning of the year.

The Seine-Saint-Denis force consists of 4,600 police officers, 3,500 who are out on patrol.

Photo: Afp Joel Saget

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