The new president of the National Police Union (SNPGL) Patrick Baddé noted a recent deterioration in security around Place de Paris, which he links back to surveillance cameras at the central station pushing the violence further up.
In conversation with RTL, the new union president stressed he would continue in the more measured, dialogue-based style of his predecessor Marlène Negrini, rather than confrontation.
A mixed but rewarding profession
Reflecting on his two decades of service, Baddé said he was still satisfied overall as a police officer, despite moments of frustration. He highlighted the wide variety of opportunities within the force, from youth protection and forensic work to canine units and road policing, but admitted officers sometimes felt disheartened when detainees were quickly released after arrest.
Union renewal after internal strife
Baddé was also asked about the recent internal strife within the SNPGL that saw former president Pascal Ricquier openly clashing with police leadership – even taking superiors to court. Ricquier's successor Negrini, for instance, was later removed amid internal committee disputes. Baddé described this as factionalism that he wants to leave behind. He emphasised that the current leadership is a young, dynamic team aiming to rebuild trust and focus on constructive work.
He also underlined his good personal relationship with Negrini, who remains treasurer of the SNPGL, and said he welcomed her advice while insisting that decisions now rest with the committee as a whole.
New technology: body cams and tasers
Since 1 July, officers have been equipped with body camera. Baddé welcomed the measure, explaining that the possibility of being filmed makes people think twice before confronting or insulting officers. He added that in practice the cameras have been well received by rank-and-file police.
However, he acknowledged technical shortcomings: cameras do not yet switch on automatically when an officer draws a firearm. He noted that a new trigger system is being developed so that when one officer draws a weapon, cameras nearby also activate, providing a broader perspective of the incident.
As for tasers, set to be introduced with a new operational support unit on 1 January, Baddé admitted the union has not yet received details from management on training and equipment. He stated that the SNPGL had not been involved in the process but said he would request the full documentation in the coming weeks.
Assessing the broader direction of the police, Baddé said he believes the force is on the right track, thanks to increased recruitment and efforts to improve training quality. He acknowledged that criticisms from politicians and civil society exist, but maintained that, from the union's perspective, recent reforms are more positive than negative.
From the Gare district to Place de Paris
As for security concerns in the capital, videos circulating on social media have highlighted late-night violence around Place de Paris. Baddé confirmed that the situation there had worsened recently. He explained that surveillance cameras at Luxembourg's Gare district had pushed some of the trouble further up into the square, where groups gather at night and confrontations break out.
He stressed that police have already stepped up night patrols in the area, but admitted that policing alone cannot resolve the issue.
Baddé stressed that policing alone cannot fix deeper social problems. He explained that officers can primarily act and react, not work preventively, concluding that lasting solutions require the courts, municipal authorities, and social services to pull in the same direction.
