France rail police authorised to use tasers at Paris, Rennes and Lyon stations
Around 10% of officers will be able to carry them at major stations and on certain rail lines
Officers must undergo training before being able to carry tasers
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Security officers at certain major French rail stations are now authorised to carry tasers following a decree published in France’s Journal Officiel.
Members of the state rail operator SNCF’s police ferroviaire working at stations including Paris Austerlitz and Saint-Lazare, Rennes, Lyon Part-Dieu and Marseille Saint-Charles can carry and use the weapons, subject to training and authorisation;
Officers on lines ‘D’ and ‘E’ of the RER (Paris’ regional suburban lines) will also be authorised to use tasers, both on the trains and at platforms along the routes.
10% of the force across France represents some 300 - 400 rail transport police officers.
Authorisation comes amid a crackdown on violent and uncivil behaviour on France’s public transport network.
“Our fellow citizens are demanding security in public transport,” said Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot to French media outlet TF1.
Officers “must be able to protect themselves and the public,” he added.
Three-year trial
The measure was initially proposed in a public transport safety bill last year, but rejected by France’s Constitutional Council for ‘procedural flaw’ (vice de forme).
It has now been published in a revised form as a decree, placed in the Journal Officiel on May 10 as part of a three-year trial into the effectiveness of officers wielding the weapons.
Under the decree, rail police will only be allowed to use tasers after undergoing training in both practical and theoretical elements over a minimum 18-hour period.
This includes live-firing exercises. Police are prohibited from using tasers on children, visibly pregnant women, and in close-combat situations.
If the trial is successful the scheme may be expanded to other stations across the country.
