French journalist who joined the police found a culture of racism and violence

French journalist who joined the police found a culture of racism and violence
Copyright DR
By Mark Armstrong
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below:Copy to clipboardCopied

A French journalist who joined the police for two years says he found a culture of racism and "banal" violence as well a force that closes ranks to protest a minority of rogue officers.

ADVERTISEMENT

A French journalist who infiltrated the country's police force for two years says he has uncovered a culture of violence that he describes as so frequent that it became banal.

In his book "Flic", which is French slang for Cop, Valentin Gendrot tells of the six months spent in a police station in one of Paris's tough northern neighbourhoods, as well as the dehumanisation that pervades the force and encourages them to close ranks.

Gendrot talks of a force under-funded, with low morale and plagued by anxiety.

The author tells how abuse, such as assaulting young members of ethnic communities, is carried out on an almost daily basis by a minority of officers, but that even those not involved tend to close ranks to protect the force.

Gendrot also addresses criticism of his role undercover that has been criticised on social media platforms.

Watch the full report in the video player above.

Share this articleComments

You might also like

Three wounded in Paris knife attack at train station

Police violence in the Paris suburbs ends with conviction of 3 officers

French police strike to demand better pay for 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris