At its annual St Michael's Day ceremony on 29 September, the Luxembourg Police honoured fallen officers as Director General of the Grand Ducal Police Pascal Peters warned of rising violence and highlighted the need to better protect police staff, while also welcoming record recruitment levels.
To honour staff who lost their lives in the line of duty, wreaths were laid at the Cité policière in Findel and at the Force Publique monument on the National Monument of Luxembourg Solidarity, known locally as 'Kanounenhiwwel' (canon hill). A religious ceremony followed at St Michael's Church in Luxembourg City. Since the Second World War, 13 officers have died while on duty in Luxembourg.
Later in the day, Director General of the Grand Ducal Police Pascal Peters and Minister of Home Affairs Léon Gloden addressed the police corps and numerous guests at a ceremony in the Cercle Cité.
Peters noted that police statistics show a steady rise in violent incidents in society. In the first half of 2025, cases of rebellion against authority had increased by around 35% compared with the same period in 2024. He said that, on average, at least one such case is recorded every day in the Grand Duchy.
He also underlined the dangers inherent in police work, pointing out that officers frequently find themselves in risky situations, whether targeted by aggression, facing resistance, or engaged in high-speed pursuits. While such risks are part of the job, Peters stressed that citizens need resilient officers to protect them. He argued that this requires greater institutional support, with the state acting as a protective body for police officers, as is already the case in countries such as France.
On recruitment, Peters expressed satisfaction with recent progress. In May, 180 trainees were admitted to the police academy, and a new intake will be launched this autumn, he said. If that proves equally successful, around 200 new members are expected to join the force in 2026.
