The Democratic Party’s (DP) local election manifesto proposes a municipal police force led by municipal mayors, with units supplied by the Grand Ducal police. The Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) suggests an auxiliary corps with police competencies, which would report to councils but remain affiliated with the Grand Ducal police.
Former Diekirch prosecutor, Jean Bour, has raised several questions about these proposals. He asks, “Should they be able to detect criminal offences, and what kind? For example, if I were to spot someone running away from a house with a TV under their arm, I could arrest him like anyone else, but how do I determine the crime? Do I have the power to investigate?”
Bour also queries whether the municipal police forces should be on permanent patrol and how effective that would be. A team of six to seven officers at least would be required for a two-person 24/7 control, he states.
Bour recalls that about 50 years ago, he edited a report on the Luxembourg gendarmerie and police corps, which were yet to merge at the time. In 1930, the municipal police was nationalised under a director’s control. They did not merge with the gendarmerie until 1999, aiming to create synergies, act more effectively, and prevent competition between the two forces.
The DP and the CSV propose that the new municipal police force should either be drawn from or attached to the Grand Ducal merged force from 1999, remaining under the control of the director of police. Bour questions, “How can you then integrate a municipal police force, where the director of police takes charge, but must also answer to the mayor?”
Bour also raises concerns about the financial implications, as the government approves the police budget. He worries about politicians becoming involved as police chiefs and questions the legal status for municipalities or auxiliary police if a separate police force is created.
The proposed municipal police force is expected to provide more security to citizens. However, Bour argues, “To fulfil this sense of security that is always brought up in these discussions, you’d need two police officers 50 metres away from citizens at all times. That is just not feasible.”
None of the issues raised by Bour are addressed by the DP or the CSV in their election programmes.
