France to deploy police trainees as security measures tighten ahead of Saturday protests

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Police academy trainees will be deployed as reinforcements during nationwide demonstrations across France on Saturday as the government tightens security measures, broadcaster BFMTV reported Friday.

The French National Police Directorate reportedly called on volunteer trainees nearing the end of their training to reinforce security forces at various locations across the country during the protests.

They will be assigned duties such as guarding buildings and carrying out administrative tasks at police stations, freeing up more experienced officers for more sensitive operations.

Trainees, however, will not be deployed on the front lines, as a 2022 law prohibits their use in crowd control or public order operations.

Several dozen trainees have already volunteered, according to BFMTV.

The French government announced a large-scale security operation for Saturday's demonstrations, aiming to deploy more than the 60,000 security personnel sent out across France during the Oct. 17 protests, which resulted in damage to businesses and public buildings.

Jean-Didier Berger, the minister delegate to the Interior Ministry, said Thursday that the number of security personnel deployed on Saturday would be “20% higher” than on Oct. 17.

Sentinelle military personnel, elite units from the GIGN and RAID, and riot police officers are also expected to be deployed.

Authorities have issued a number of orders across the Paris metropolitan area, including bans on transporting fuel and flammable gases, carrying protective equipment within 100 meters (328 feet) of a school, and possessing fireworks mortars.

Paris police also announced a curfew covering adults and minors around Place de la Republique and Les Halles, from 11 pm to 6 am, starting Thursday evening and continuing until Sunday.

President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday at a security council meeting that demonstrations not organized by trade unions would be banned in the coming days, particularly on Saturday, "wherever possible."

Prefects would examine union requests and propose alternative routes to protect city centers, businesses, and public buildings. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said restrictions on non-union demonstrations would be decided case by case.

Following Macron's announcement, prefectures authorized only one of the two routes requested for Saturday in Paris and banned all gatherings in Lyon and parts of Nice city center, according to Franceinfo.

The prefect of Bouches-du-Rhone also announced a ban on all demonstrations in the department, including in Marseille, on Saturday, “including those concerning issues other than purchasing power.”

In Lille, the Nord prefecture announced a ban on “all demonstrations” and gatherings in the city center on Saturday.

İlayda Çakırtekin