24.7.2020

After coordination and consultation with CESP members and its colleagues from the Syndicat des Cadres de la Sécurité Intérieure (SCSI), the European Council of Police Unions (CESP), has declared its concern to Mr. Emmanuel Macron, the President of the Republic of France regarding the latest developments in the country.

The President of CESP, Mr. Ricardo Valadas in the Letter sent, among other things, emphasized:

“…As police officers, guarantors of the rights and freedoms of all citizens, we are extremely concerned about several issues: Our first and primary worry is the need for a formal recognition of our profession. The police officers are security technicians and judicial investigators that should work independently of the political powers. For this reason, political interference in our activity always has repercussions that, ultimately, harm citizens, the liberty and our democracy. Now that we are emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, in which – like many other workers groups – the police forces of all countries, have given everything to serve the citizens and to end this crisis as soon as possible, we assist to the rise and growth of another pandemic, that radicalism that is spreading in an organized way, pitting extremist groups against the law enforcement… 

…Our action protocols are adjusted to relevant laws and when a police officer commits a crime, the rule of law has the correspondent and adequate correction mechanisms. In the police we defend and stand for respect of human rights without any violence…”