The largest police district in the northwestern French department of Manche has no police commissioner, even though Cherbourg has more than 80 000 inhabitants, making it the fourth largest city in Normandy.
But since July 1, the chair reserved for the Commissioner of the city has been empty, reported Le Parisien. And the Ministry of Interior has multiplied calls and even proposed a monthly bonus of up to 1 000 euros to have the top law enforcement position filled. The Ministry has had zero response.
For the mayor of the city, Benoît Arrivé, the reason is clear: Cherbourg is suffering from its good results in terms of security. “The city is famous for its low crime rate. And why would it not be very attractive for a commissioner? But is that not a reason to continue this work? Or do cities like ours in the provinces have to get used to these conditions? If this is the case, the government must tell us,” said the elected representative.
“We are at the heart of an agglomeration with sensitive industries, a port where the migratory question is raised. Is it not the sovereign responsibility of the state to resolve this situation? Frankly, it’s outrageous.”
For police unions, the image of a police station without a commissioner is not a good one. This view is shared by MP Sonia Krimi. The elected LREM official called on Interior Minister Christophe Castaner to solve the crisis. “It seems that young commissioners are more inclined to go to constituencies where the police are heavily solicited. But why?… Should our delinquency rate go up so that we are heard?
“A police station like that of Cherbourg is at the heart of issues that imperatively need a boss. And if no one spontaneously proposes, it is up to the state to resolve this situation. It’s up to the Minister and I told him,” she said.
Krimi has opposed some government moves, including a new law clamping down on protesters. She also raised eyebrows within her party for briefly donning a yellow vest during a meeting with protesters.
Protesters in the Cherbourg area blocked McDonald’s drive-throughs, many insisted multinationals must be made to pay more tax.
According to exclusive information obtained by La Presse de la Manche, a new commissioner is expected to take up his duties in Cherbourg on April 8.
Cherbourg is across the Channel from Dorset in the UK, and has seen regular Yellow Vest demonstrations. The industrial port and its surrounding villages face some problems such as poor transport links, a lack of local doctors and the closure of public services.