The protests were organised as part of a “black Thursday”, which was called for by the largest syndicate organisations, including Alliance and UNSA Police. “Without exceptional measures, without prior agreement, without recognition of the level of our commitment, we will not be involved in the Olympic Games,” said Alliance’s leader Fabien Vanhemelryck at the midday gathering, which was attended by hundreds of police officers. Other gatherings and actions took place across France on Thursday. The syndicate expects answers to many questions since the request made by Gérald Darmanin, the Minister of the Interior, just before Christmas, for their “100%” mobilisation during the Games.
The queries include such issues as work hours, accommodation conditions from reinforcements from the province, summer vacation time, social support, and a potential “olympic compensation” which could vary from €500 to €1500. Darmanin had offered 10 working days of leave for each agent between June 15 and September 15 in a letter sent on December 22 to the FO union of the Ministry of the Interior. It is expected that specific measures will be announced by the end of the month following discussions.
However, meanwhile, the grumbling and syndicate pressure continues, extending beyond these specific subjects. Gaëlle James, general secretary of Synergie Officiers said: “Couples of police officers that have children are asked to be 100% mobilised on the field. It’s unacceptable that we don’t know what to do just six months before the Games.” The signs in anticipation of the event seem clear and many officers share a sense of “irritation, concern and fatigue”.
Marc Hocquard, national secretary of UNSA Police, expressed the general feeling as: “irritation, concern and fatigue”. “Our colleagues respond when they still have many questions about the organisation. We hope that the mobilisation will bring clear and prompt answers.”
Around 30,000 police officers are expected to mobilise every day during the Olympics, with a peak at 45,000 during the opening ceremony on July 26th. It will be an unprecedented deployment.
