In France, riots broke out for the second day in a row after a police officer shot a young man at a traffic stop. Cars and rubbish bins burned in Nanterre and other suburbs of Paris, but also in Lille and Toulouse. An elementary school and a town hall were also set on fire during the riots, which have been going on since Tuesday. What is the trigger? And why is there so much police violence in France? questions and answers.

How did the fatal police shooting, which is also shown in a video, happen?

While controlling traffic in the Paris suburb of Nanterre on Tuesday morning, which led to the riots, a police patrol on a motorbike stopped a car carrying three people. one of the station France information Verified video shows one of the officers aiming his gun at the driver’s side of the parked car.

The situation appears to be under control and there are no signs of frantic action. When the 17-year-old suddenly spun at the wheel, the officer shot the young man at close range, hitting him in the chest.

Then the car drove a few meters and finally hit a roadblock. A passenger, also a minor, was arrested and later released. According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the other passenger escaped.

How do the police officers involved explain the incident?

high France information At first the patrol officers stated that the young man wanted to run them over. They later retracted this account and said he didn’t follow their orders and then suddenly hurried away – there was no longer any talk of killing intent.

Reports stated that the officer was taken into police custody on suspicion of manslaughter France information. According to the Minister of Interior Gerald Darmanin Police officers opened an investigation into the incident. For the time being, the minister emphasized that the presumption of innocence applies to the official and his colleagues.

Is there more police violence in France than in Germany?

Police violence is more prevalent in France than in Germany.says political scientist Fabian Jobard of the World Development Report. The French, who lives in a suburb of Paris, is the director of research at the CNRS National Science Center and often deals with police violence professionally.

According to Jobard, there are no clear national comparison numbers for police violence. However, one can cite as an example some numbers from France, which are far from being available in Germany:

However, the use of force by the police is not uncommon in Germany either. This is evidenced, among other things, by the extensive study „Violence in the Office”, in which legal researcher Tobias Singelstein of the Ruhr University Bochum also participated.

How is the spread of police violence in France?

In general, Jobard says, the police in France are more aggressive than they are in Germany. This is reflected on the one hand in their behavior and on the other hand in their equipment.

Research has shown this, particularly in police operations suburbs – that is, on the outskirts of large, densely populated cities, especially Paris – „Basic confrontational work patterns” recognizable.

Police officers often go on regular patrols with helmets, body armor and hard rubber weapons in their hands. Instead of asking for something in a friendly way, a commanding tone prevails. Added to this isA certain degree of neglect can lead to violencesays Jobard.

He says it will be difficult to change him. This depends on your economic and social situation suburbs Together, but also with the police unions that are very powerful in France and have no interest in changing anything. In addition, politicians have no room for maneuver. In principle, given the high risk of terrorism in France, she wants the police to be able to crack down.

We also reported on this topic on June 28, 2023 at 8:00 AM on Radio News, including WDR5.