This film is a work of fiction
based on true events.
Paris, December 2018
f*ck!
Move to the left!
Close ranks!
Close ranks!
Recognize yourself?
Once again, do you recognize yourself
in these images?
Yes.
Can you describe what you're doing?
I pick up a stone and throw it.
- At the demonstrators?
- Yes.
I didn't throw it at them,
simply towards them.
We'll see.
- Did I hit anyone?
- I ask the questions.
In these images, do you see
demonstrators throwing projectiles?
Not at that point.
But they did before. A lot.
We received projectiles and insults
all day.
A stone had just struck my chief
in the face.
He'd raised his visor to speak
and got hit.
The demonstrators cheered.
Alright.
That stone you threw...
How do you justify your act?
I don't know.
I've been an officer 15 years,
always doing a clean job.
I've never been investigated before.
I snapped.
I'd had enough.
Do I risk being suspended?
I don't know.
It depends
on the administrative inquiry.
Another officer will question you.
Policing is all I can do.
He agrees he did wrong.
Seeing his superior hit
left him angry and shocked.
The video's gone viral.
We must react.
A riot officer throwing a stone
is a bad image.
It's a gesture of retaliation,
with an unofficial weapon.
It's serious, very serious.
Of course, but he regrets his mistake.
And no one was hurt.
Consider the context, his tiredness...
Let his lawyer plead that.
You'll send me the report?
Yes, alright.
Are you on call this weekend?
No, Office 2 is.
Let's hope it's calmer
than last weekend.
- Goodbye, Mrs Bertrand.
- Goodbye, sir.
Another chaotic Saturday,
with many referrals.
The novelty is
the prosecutor wants us to handle
all Yellow Vest complaints,
however minor.
- Even with under a week's incapacity?
- Yes.
As Christelle's office
is snowed under,
the next are for Offices 1 and 3.
We have 40 cases already.
I know. Stphanie too.
And Christelle has 50.
CASE 137
A nurse at the hospital told me
to file a complaint.
For my son, Guillaume.
- Is he a minor?
- No, he's 20.
Alright.
As he's over 18,
he has to file the complaint.
He can't. He's in the hospital,
badly injured.
I'll register it,
then see when the doctors let us
interview your son.
I've never done this before...
Just try to describe what happened.
At Saturday's demonstration,
an officer fired a riot g*n at him.
An LBD shot.
Alright.
- Were you a witness?
- No.
I wasn't with Guillaume
when it happened.
We were parted just before
in a crush on the Champs-Elyses.
- You came to demonstrate too?
- Yes.
As a family.
With my three children.
Antonin, the oldest,
then Sonia and Guillaume.
With Rmi too, Sonia's boyfriend.
He was with Guillaume.
So you were parted
and Rmi was with Guillaume
at that moment?
Was he the one who told you
what happened?
Yes.
He found us
after the paramedics took Guillaume.
Which hospital is he in?
The Bichat Hospital.
The paramedics took him there?
Yes, that's what Rmi said.
I'll need to talk to Rmi.
What's his surname?
Cordier.
Where is he now?
He was taken into custody.
By the officers who opened fire?
No, he was arrested later.
He was in court.
- On immediate trial?
- Yes.
Was he sentenced?
I don't know.
I haven't slept,
with nights at the hospital.
I don't understand
why they shot at my boy.
In the head.
My son's not a hooligan,
far from it.
He has a job.
He's an apprentice electrician.
We were demonstrating
for public services.
St Dizier is dying.
You're from St Dizier?
Yes.
- Do you know it?
- Yes.
Well, no. Never mind.
It's the same everywhere.
The same?
No one cares about us.
Let's note this.
Mum, it's Stphanie.
- Hello, dear, how are you?
- Fine.
With so much going on...
I'm ok.
Mum, do you know
a Girard family in St Dizier?
Girard?
Jolle Girard, 48,
with three kids in their twenties.
No, that doesn't ring a bell.
But Girard is a common name here.
I can ask your dad.
No, I was just wondering
if you knew her.
- Why?
- No reason, something at work.
Investigating them?
No, Mum, I investigate police officers.
They could be in the police.
Never mind.
- Who are her parents?
- I don't know. Forget it.
Who are you?
How did you end up there?
Come here.
What'll we do with you?
The Champs-Elyses sector
is in lockdown
as police forces
fill the famous avenue.
Paris has twice as many policemen
as last week,
and even gendarmerie armoured cars
are out,
although it's not July 14.
The government is holding its breath,
while shopkeepers try
to protect their livelihood.
Will wooden boards
keep out the pillagers?
The police try to reassure them,
with exceptional numbers
of officers deployed.
The forces on display are impressive.
Yes, sweetie?
Is it a bad time?
No, it's ok. Where are you?
In Dad's car.
Some people are fighting.
What?
Two guys were arguing,
then began to fight.
Look.
- See them?
- Yes.
Wow!
Stay in the car.
Where's your dad?
Hold on...
Are you alone?
Where's your dad?
He's running.
Running? Where are you?
The Choisy lake.
Dad wanted me to train with them,
but I'm sick of it.
I'm waiting here.
Who is he with?
Nolie, his new girlfriend.
A policewoman.
In Narcs with him?
No, but she's all cop talk.
Wanna see a photo?
No.
Why would I want to?
To see what she looks like.
I won't tell her.
No way.
It's not right.
And I'm not interested.
Hold on.
I have a new friend too.
He's so cute!
You bought him?
No, he was in the building's garage.
- Can we keep him?
- I think not.
It's a responsibility.
I'll look after him.
Sure you will.
We'll see on Monday.
Stay there. I'll call your dad.
It's Steph.
Hi.
You leave Victor waiting in a car park?
That sucks.
It's ok. He ran with us,
but he got tired.
Two guys were fighting near the car.
What the hell?
He should've called me.
Why'd he call you?
Maybe not to disturb you both.
Ok, I get it.
You don't get anything.
Run with whoever you want.
But don't leave Victor
in some godforsaken car park.
I'll go back
and see what's going on.
Bye.
127 people in custody
The undersigned, Stphanie Bertrand,
IGPN officer,
requests the Bichat Hospital
to provide us with information
on the state of health
of Mr Guillaume Girard,
admitted on December 8, 2018,
notably when his condition
will allow us to question him.
We request
the Paris Paramedics Service
to submit by return of mail
all elements in their possession
on assistance given
on December 8, 2018,
to a male individual aged 20,
named Guillaume Girard,
in the Triomphe sector, 75008.
We request
the penal sentencing office
to inform us which prison
is holding Mr Rmi Cordier,
following his sentencing
on December 10, 2018,
before the Paris court.
We have today received a reply
from the Paris Paramedics Service.
They responded to an incident
on December 8th, 2018, at 6:43 pm,
on Rue Magellan, Paris 8.
Report received
from the Bichat Hospital Trauma Unit
in reply to request N2018/0023.
The reply contains a doctor's note
on Mr Girard's injuries,
listing the following:
Quintuple skull fracture
with depression of the temporal bone.
Craniocerebral wound,
with subarachnoid haemorrhage.
The haematoma and lesions
are consistent with the impact
of LBD 40 munitions.
Mr Girard suffers from aphasia
and acute PTSD,
and cannot be questioned
for the time being.
Please find enclosed
court authorization
to question the prisoner Rmi Cordier
as a witness.
Please suggest a date and time
that you deem suitable
for questioning at your premises,
the Fleury-Mrogis prison.
Mr Cordier,
I'm Inspector Bertrand of the IGPN,
the Police General Inspectorate.
My colleague, Major Gurini.
We're investigating
Guillaume Girard's injury last Saturday.
His mother said you were with him.
Is that right?
Yes.
We're questioning you as a witness.
I haven't even heard how he is.
He's out of danger,
but he cannot be questioned yet.
What does that mean?
He'll have after-effects?
I don't know.
f*ck, he did nothing.
Those b*stards laid into him!
Watch your tone!
And stay polite, please.
Have you found them?
The cops who did it?
We ask the questions.
As if you'll believe me.
No one listened in court.
It took five minutes.
All that mattered
was an arrest report by the cops
saying I hit them.
Not a word was true.
This isn't about your arrest,
but about what happened to Mr Girard.
Your testimony can help us understand.
If it's my word against theirs,
it's no use.
Who did you come
to march in Paris with?
Sonia's whole family.
Sonia, Antonin,
Guillaume and Jolle Girard?
Yes.
We'd left St Dizier early.
It was Anto and I
who had the idea.
We're not Yellow Vests,
but Mum and Rmi are nursing auxiliaries
and I'm a porter.
We're sick of earning peanuts.
So we wanted to take part.
Plus we'd get to see Paris.
Jolle!
Come on, Mum.
To Paris!
Do you often demonstrate?
No.
It was my first time in Paris.
We left the car on the outskirts.
We had no idea
where the demonstration was.
We followed the Seine.
We had several ID checks.
Don't you wanna join us?
No, you don't want to?
No filming, sir.
We walked a lot.
My feet were sore.
We saw a few of the sights.
It was the chance to.
A big change from St Dizier.
We met some Yellow Vests
who said to go to the Champs-Elyses.
There was a huge crowd there.
The tear gas was thick
by the Arc de Triomphe.
There was even a chopper overhead.
It was scary.
After a while, we wanted to leave
but got blocked by the police.
Even if Macron says no
We're not gonna go!
We're not gonna go!
Even if Macron says no
We're not gonna go!
They wouldn't let us pass,
then tear-gassed us.
Come on!
We hid in a laundrette.
It was chaos.
A guy got arrested, it was frightening.
Move!
Calm down right now!
It began to get dark.
We tried to leave
via the Champs-Elyses.
It was impossible.
Tear gas was raining down.
Everyone was panicking.
Then we realized
we'd lost Guillaume and Rmi.
We'd no idea where they were.
Guillaume and me ended up somewhere
without the others.
Ok, carry on.
We tried to go back to find them.
Some cops burst out
and fired at us with riot g*ns.
They burst out and fired at you
for no reason?
Yes.
We were on a street,
they came from the right.
I ran. I thought Guillaume
was following me.
When I saw I'd lost him,
I turned back.
The cops had vanished.
Guillaume was lying there.
His head was bloody.
I panicked. I called an ambulance.
Were the police in uniform?
Plain clothes, I think.
With police armbands?
I dunno, I didn't see.
How do you know they were police?
Are you serious?
Sure they were cops,
they had riot g*ns.
Did you or Mr Girard
display any hostility towards them?
No.
No words or gestures?
No.
I ran
and yelled at Guillaume to follow.
Why?
Why? I was scared.
They'd raised their weapons.
Had you or Mr Girard committed
any material damage, pillaging,
or anti-police violence?
No.
Are you sure?
Yes.
Your phone contained videos
of burning cars.
Did you take part
in such vandalism?
No.
Does violence attract or fascinate you?
No.
So why did you film the cars?
I dunno.
It was...
It was what?
I dunno.
Are you politicized?
- Meaning?
- In a far right or far left group?
No.
I'm not into politics.
It was my first demo.
You were arrested at 7:40 pm,
one hour after the incident,
for insults, rebellion and violence.
Can you explain
the circumstances of your arrest?
I stayed on the streets
to find the cops who fired.
- Why?
- I was angry.
I wanted to find them.
To photograph or film them.
To have evidence.
Evidence of what?
That they were there.
Then what?
I ended up facing riot cops
with other demonstrators.
They were blocking us again
and firing tear gas.
I was so pissed off,
I insulted them.
They ran at me
and pinned me to the ground.
The report says
you hit some police officers.
That's not true.
They hit me.
Among the videos
on your phone,
one shows the paramedics
tending to Mr Girard.
Why did you film that?
To show how the cops
had f*cked up Guillaume.
- What happened?
- He got hit by a riot g*n.
- In the head?
- Yes.
Ok, thanks.
It's a riot g*n hit.
Let's take him in right now.
Careful, lift him.
Please, let us work, sir.
- Here?
- Yes, the ambulance was there.
No sign of blood now.
The hygiene department
came the next day.
To clean the whole area.
They move fast around here.
Which hotel's back is that?
The Prince de Galles.
We request
the operational and logistic unit
to forward us the video recordings
of the following CCTV cameras
for the day of December 8th, 2018,
between 4 and 8 pm:
camera 08021,
avenue George V/Rue de la Trmoille,
camera 08371
Champs-Elyses/Rue Bassano,
camera 08115,
Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie,
camera 73532,
Champs Elyses/Avenue George V,
camera 08118,
Rue Marbeuf/Avenue George V.
Camera 08115,
Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie.
At the very back of the clash,
you can see five people
taking Rue Bizet.
You can't see much,
but they're on a private clinic's camera
just after.
The times match. 6:17 pm for the CCTV
and 6:18 pm Rue Bizet.
They're in helmets and plain clothes.
The first two seem to have riot g*ns.
The first anyhow.
The second has shin protectors.
See?
Finally, at 6:22 pm,
they're on an ATM camera
Avenue Marceau/Rue Chaillot.
No faces, but the trousers and trainers
are the same.
With the shin protectors.
And three of them have riot g*ns.
The others, telescopic batons.
Look, riot g*n,
riot g*n, baton, baton,
riot g*n.
If we follow them on a map,
they take Pierre 1er de Serbie,
then Rue Bizet,
then Rue Chaillot
to the Avenue Marceau ATM,
opposite Rue Quentin Bauchart.
They could have taken
Rue Quentin Bauchart
to Magellan
where Girard was wounded.
Go back to Bizet.
What plainclothes units
were in that area then?
That's the complicated part.
Marc and I have sifted through
every single report of each unit.
Uniforms are easy to track,
but the others, BAC, BRI, etc,
every plainclothes unit,
were taking their own initiatives
by then.
The authorities panicked
and deployed everyone,
but there was no coordination.
To be honest, it was a total mess.
What was your rank and function
on December 8th?
I'm a police captain.
I was in charge
of three BAC anti-crime units.
I'm a police major
and I headed the 9 plainclothes units
in the CSI security group
under Commander Baron.
Chief superintendent.
I headed the BRI units deployed.
The Police Directorate brought us in
to back up the mobile units
swamped by the situation.
I headed
one of the new Rapid Action Units.
Unit 5,
made up of 25 officers
from suburban BAC forces
and other precincts.
I'm a police major,
head of the BAC 92 teams.
What was your mission exactly?
To prevent pillaging
and target violent individuals.
Rioters and those attacking
uniformed officers.
We were to protect the Republic
and halt the uprising.
We were asked to join the w*r effort.
Those were the words:
"save the Republic
and join the w*r effort"?
Yes.
Is crowd control your usual work?
No.
No.
What is your usual work?
You don't know the BRI's job?
Answer, please.
Missions in organized crime,
hostage crises and terrorism.
The fight against urban violence
and street crime.
Did you have
training in crowd control?
No.
It all happened in a bit of a rush.
The government panicked.
We had to step in overnight, unprepared.
Some men got kit from Decathlon.
How were you armed?
With LBD riot g*ns.
GM2L grenades.
Service weapons.
Sting-ball grenades in our backpacks.
Did you use your riot g*ns?
Yes, we were often up against
very determined rioters.
Of course.
Several times.
Yes, I authorized around 60 shots.
Did you file weapon-use reports?
I excused my men from that,
given the situation.
No, in such a context,
reports are filed at the end
or the next day,
with a broad timeframe and perimeter.
We filed them the next day,
but not for every shot.
It's obligatory.
Obligatory, yes, but it was impossible.
I said it was impossible.
It was almost a revolution.
It wasn't classic crowd control.
Did shots by your men cause injuries
or require paramedic intervention?
Not that I know of.
I don't recall any.
The targeted individuals fled.
I saw no one injured.
I'll show you a photo
taken that evening.
Could this be one of your units?
You can't make out much,
but I don't think so.
No.
Did you meet units that could match
the one in these photos?
No.
They don't ring a bell.
Not that I recall.
No.
Eric in Office 3 has images
matching our guys.
He has a December 8th case.
A reporter filmed firemen
at the Vernet/Bassano intersection.
This was at 6:29 pm.
So seven minutes after passing
the Avenue Marceau ATM.
They're here.
Same group.
Same number, weapons and details.
Clearer than in the other videos.
Then they vanish.
I'll zoom in on them.
The first two have LBD riot g*ns.
The third lowers his balaclava.
The last one has a riot g*n too.
When the third lowers his balaclava....
Here...
You see his face clearly.
Here you go.
If they were here at 6:22 pm,
they could have been there
when Girard was wounded
before taking Georges V
to be at Vernet/Bassano at 6:29.
I did some screenshot enlargements.
See the helmets?
This is good.
sh*t...
No! One!
Fantastic!
It's annoying, given her crap style,
but she scores.
Not you. I wouldn't dare.
I couldn't say that about you.
No, the other hand.
Let me focus.
That's pretty stylish.
Up your game!
I'll get fuel.
- Who wants one?
- I'll come too.
What?
My ex is here.
We'll have four more, please.
- Hi.
- How are you?
Great. And you?
Both of you.
Nolie, Stphanie.
His ex.
- Victor's mum.
- Right.
Ok.
- Can I ask you something?
- Yes.
- You're with the IGPN?
- Yes.
- Before you were in Narcs?
- Yes, with Jrmy.
How do you do that switch?
I mean, investigate colleagues
rather than criminals?
- Nolie...
- What? I'm interested.
That's not how I see it.
- Really?
- No.
But this isn't the time or place.
We're here to relax.
Sure. Go ahead, relax.
In the union,
our goal is to stand together.
Ok.
- You're bothered I'm in the union?
- Not a bit.
We defend our colleagues.
We're sick of police-bashing.
Your half-assed inquiries
smear the whole force.
I don't agree, but never mind.
Steph, your turn.
You've summoned me twice now
for a case that doesn't concern us.
Wasting your time may be ok,
but you're wasting mine.
We have much more important work.
No one wants to waste time, sir.
Cooperate and it won't take long.
These images are from a video
made by a reporter on December 8th.
Could these men be BRI officers?
I don't know.
One face is visible.
I don't know who he is.
Any thoughts on their helmets?
None at all.
Three are Wendy helmets,
used by the BRI.
I'm no helmet expert.
The other two
are non-regulation helmets.
You brought me here to discuss
regulation helmets?
At our last interview, you said,
I quote,
"We had to step in overnight,
unprepared.
Some men got kit from Decathlon."
Do you confirm that?
I don't remember.
Here's the product description
for Decathlon's skateboard helmet.
What do you think on comparing it
with the screenshots?
I've no idea.
They may look alike,
but I can't say they're the same.
Other units use their own helmets
or had to get kit from Decathlon.
We've petitioned every store
in the Paris area
for helmet sale details
prior to the demonstration.
We'd both save time if you tell us
who features in these images.
Or I can summon every BRI officer
until we identify the men in the video.
But I'd hate to disturb your work.
I'll let you get back to me?
We note that the BRI officers
named by Superintendent Frdric Picard
are the following:
Clment Garcia,
Michel Brzezenski,
Arnaud Lavalle,
Sbastien Jacquet,
Mickael Fages.
Mr Garcia,
do you recognize yourself here?
Yes.
Do you confirm you're with
Officers Fages, Jacquet,
Lavalle and Brzezenski?
It's hard to tell.
I recognize
Garcia and Lavalle.
I can't say for the others.
You were together on December 8th?
Yes.
A big day for the brigade.
You're in a small group.
Isn't that risky in such a context?
It's unusual.
We left the main group
to use a caf restroom.
After, it took us a while
to hook up again.
- What caf?
- I don't remember.
Where did you join the main group?
On the Champs-Elyses.
At what level?
Towards the top.
Do you remember the streets you took?
Side streets,
but I can't say which.
CCTV shows you
on Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie
Rue Bizet, Avenue Marceau
and Rue Vernet.
What do you say?
I'm not familiar
with that part of town.
But it is your group in the videos?
Yes.
It looks like it.
Mr Brzezenski,
did you have an LBD 40?
Yes.
Who else was carrying one?
Lavalle and Fages.
Did you use them
on your way to the Champs-Elyses?
It's possible.
We had to fire a few times
to keep back hostile individuals.
Some were violent, spoiling for a fight.
Did you injure demonstrators?
Some of them must've had bruises.
I mean severe injuries.
Not that I recall.
I don't think so.
At around 6:30 pm, a young man
was wounded in the head on Rue Magellan.
What do you say?
I wouldn't know.
It means nothing to me.
You don't recall a colleague
firing a riot g*n at two demonstrators?
No.
You were in that area then.
Maybe, but I don't remember that.
There was too much going on.
You saw no one injured?
No.
No.
No.
I don't recall anyone injured.
They talk about clashes
and possible shots,
without locating or describing them.
None of them recalls a demonstrator
injured by an LBD shot.
One of them is no doubt responsible
for injuring Girard.
Yes, but things remain hazy.
Have you questioned Girard?
Only in writing.
He's only just starting to speak again.
His account matches Cordier's.
It happened very fast
and they weren't hostile.
Right.
What's your personal feeling?
I have no personal feeling.
The BRI colleagues are uncooperative,
but nothing says they acted
outside the legal framework.
We don't know the truth as yet.
How long'll we stay in St Dizier?
All week.
There's nothing to do there.
There's the air base.
Great.
Granny will pamper you.
I bet she's doing macaroni gratin
tonight.
What's Yoghurt up to?
He's sick of being shut in.
Can you get the yellow vest
out of the glovebox?
Yellow Vests mad as hell!
Citizens, rebel!
Yellow Vests mad as hell!
Citizens, rebel!
Victor, can you help?
Let him play with the cat.
You should do videos,
Internet's full of them.
I bet Yoghurt would be a big hit.
Dad, can't you get a dishwasher?
I like doing the dishes.
They're cute.
Look at them jump.
That one's funny.
She watches cat videos
more than she talks to me.
So?
Better than the horrors
you watch on TV.
These videos can make the world better.
They're not violent.
Billions watch them
and the world is as violent as ever.
On the contrary,
they stop people thinking.
Not at all, you think of other things.
When everyone's brainwashed
and democracy's dead,
you'll realize you watched too many
kitties.
You're just heartless.
The other day,
he k*lled a mole just like that.
Really?
With his shovel.
They ruin my lawn.
Your lawn...
You're violent.
You're just violent, Grard.
Kibble, cat litter and what else?
Hpar...
Granny's mineral water.
I'll go.
Get Yoghurt's kibble and the cat litter.
Down there on the left.
Excuse me.
Excuse me!
We know you.
What're you doing here?
Following us?
No, not at all.
What are you doing then?
My shopping.
Here? In Saint Dizier?
Yes.
We're not stupid,
we saw you watching us.
Why would I be watching you?
I don't know. To spy on us.
I have no reason to.
Really?
Aren't you behind
that background check on Guillaume?
And all the filth
posted on social networks?
Saying he got
what was coming to him.
He's not a criminal.
That wasn't me.
I'm not spying on you.
I came to see my parents.
- What are you saying?
- It's true.
I was born in St Dizier.
- You're making this up.
- No.
I grew up here. I'm with my son.
We're shopping.
- Show me your papers.
- Sorry?
Your ID card.
I forgot my specs.
Check it.
Born in St Dizier.
Who are your parents?
Sylvie and Grard Bertrand.
Sylvie Bertrand?
- From Marnaval?
- Yes.
You know her?
She broke her wrist two years ago.
I did her home-care.
See, I'm not lying.
Where's the inquiry at?
No one tells us anything.
It's underway.
A preliminary inquiry takes time.
Sorry, I can't talk to you unofficially.
Why so long?
Rmi was sentenced in ten minutes.
He did three months.
He lost his job.
With a record, he's had it.
You couldn't care less.
What is it to you?
It takes time, but we care.
You just have to wait.
We've waited months!
Are you making any headway?
Sorry, I can't say anything.
Of course not.
- Let's go, Sonia.
- It makes me sick.
How can you look at yourself?
Drop it, come on.
Who are they?
- Yellow Vests?
- No.
They weren't in yellow vests.
Plainclothes Yellow Vests then.
- I asked you if you knew her.
- I know.
- You said you didn't.
- Yes.
I forgot her name was Girard.
Maybe she never even told me.
I only knew her first name.
Gisle, right?
No, Jolle.
See, I don't even remember.
I hear her son got badly hurt
in the demonstrations.
Mum, are you doing it on purpose?
Can't you link it to my work?
- You're investigating it?
- Yes, who else?
No idea. Calm down.
I am calm,
but you pay no attention to what I say.
I do pay attention.
I hope they won't hush it up.
Not you too!
Realize what you're saying?
You're talking about my work!
You think I hush things up?
I do the exact opposite.
Endless interviews, reports,
requests and paperwork.
We have dozens of inquiries
like this one.
- What did I say?
- Too much!
You say whatever crosses your mind.
I'm sick of it!
Do you have any idea
what crowd control officers do?
No, none at all.
Know how many were injured
in the demonstrations?
No reason to mutilate innocents.
Were they innocent?
Were you there to see?
No.
You know nothing, so shut up.
I'll shut up.
But I can feel sorry for that youngster.
I wish I was at head office.
They work on corruption,
not this crap.
You'd work for Decroly?
You wouldn't last a week.
I joined to nail crooked cops,
not guys in the front line.
Each demo means more complaints.
It's all we're doing now.
I was for the Yellow Vests at first.
Deep down, they're right.
But then they went off the tracks.
Our colleagues are fed up.
They're sent out to save the Republic,
then get blamed for each slip-up.
The trouble is,
the chiefs treat them like kids.
No one would talk
to their kids like that now.
So they let off steam on missions.
I heard a superintendent joke
his men went wild
as in a video game.
Guys were firing LBDs
and shouting, "Vote cast!"
Like maniacs.
Each shot, "Vote cast!"
Victor, lights out.
He got hit by a riot g*n.
In the head? Ok, thanks.
It's a riot g*n hit.
Let's take him in right now.
Careful, lift him.
Victor!
Let us work, sir.
Victor, lights out.
I'll finish my chapter.
Then lights out.
Good night.
Mum...
Why does everyone hate the police?
What?
That's not true.
Not everyone hates them.
What do you mean?
You and Dad don't realize
cos you only know other cops.
But no one likes the police.
That's rubbish.
In the t*rror1st attacks,
people applauded us.
That was ages ago.
It wasn't.
It was.
Your pals don't like the police?
Not just them. I see tags.
- What tags?
- ACAB.
"All Cops Are b*stards".
I know what it means.
People who write that are idiots.
What can I say?
Alright...
You're right. A lot of people
may not like the police.
But they aren't a majority,
and they're glad we're around.
That's not the problem.
What is then?
I already told you.
No one likes the police.
It's not about liking the police or not.
It's not a likeable job.
Enforcing the law
doesn't always make you friends.
The question is, do people trust
the police and the work they do.
Understand?
Finish your chapter.
- That one?
- Yes.
- Hello.
- Madam, sir.
Police.
We'd like to see a manager.
Of course, just a second.
Two inspectors came a few months ago.
We gave them our CCTV tapes
and they spoke to some guests.
We have the reports.
- Mr Santoni?
- Yes.
- Two police inspectors...
- Hello.
They're investigating events
on December 8th.
Our head of security.
It's about a window
overlooking Rue Quentin Bauchart.
This one.
It's on the third floor.
It must be room 316.
- Yes, it's 316.
- A junior suite.
There may have been a witness.
Can you tell us who was in the suite?
Yes, we can check.
- Mrs Gaziorek?
- Yes.
Can you check if 316 was occupied
on December 8th?
Of course.
Yes, a couple from Monaco.
Until the next day.
Can you tell if they were there
at 6:30 pm?
Yes.
When a guest
swipes his card, it's recorded.
We have several guest entries
in the morning
until 10:30 am.
Then it seems they were out all day
until 9:32 pm.
We have a staff entry at 1:44 pm.
That'll be the maid to clean.
Then again at 3:07 pm
and finally at 6:19 pm.
- Turn-down service.
- What's that?
The second-shift maids
prepare the room for the night.
They turn down the blankets,
leave slippers and a chocolate...
Can you tell which maid it was?
Yes, each badge has its own code.
Mrs Gaziorek...
Alicia Mady.
Is she working today?
Yes.
Second shift. Noon to 7 pm.
We'd like to talk to her.
Can we see room 316?
If the suite is vacant, yes.
Room service.
Please...
Mrs Mady will soon be here.
If I may ask,
how much is a suite like this?
It varies with the time of year,
but a junior is about 2,000 euros.
2,000 euros?
- Housekeeping.
- Excuse me.
f*ck me, 2,000 euros.
Hello, I'm Mr Santoni,
the security manager.
We may have met before.
These are police investigators.
Hello, madam.
- Over to you.
- Thank you.
Could you leave us, please?
Alright.
If you need anything,
just let me know.
Go on.
We're with the IGPN,
the police's police.
- Know what that is?
- Not really.
We investigate officers' misdemeanours.
To be clear,
it's not you we're investigating.
It's about an incident outside here
on December 8th
during the demonstration.
At around 6:30 pm.
Management told us you were in here
for the turn-down service.
Can you confirm that?
I don't remember, but if they say so.
Someone was seriously injured,
and a complaint was filed.
We want to find out what happened,
you see?
I see.
- Did you witness anything?
- No.
No?
What did you see from the window?
Who said I was at the window?
We have a video
showing you at this window.
Just tell us what you saw.
I saw the paramedics.
But before then.
- You were looking before they arrived.
- No.
It's important you talk to us.
We need to know what happened.
Your testimony can help.
I saw the paramedics tending
to someone who was injured.
Did you see how he was injured?
I went to the window
when I heard the siren.
I understand your wariness.
We aren't trying to trap you.
I don't know what to say.
I can't make something up.
Alright.
I'll give you my card
in case you remember anything.
I'll add my personal number.
You can call me anytime.
We'll let you get back to work.
We handled her badly.
I don't think so.
- She's holding back.
- Yeah?
Summon her, that often works.
I don't know,
she could clam up even more.
Look.
What's that?
Soap.
You pinched it?
It's soap, not what I call theft.
It smells so good.
Want it?
- No thanks.
- Sure? I took two.
Yes, Victor?
Where are you?
Will you be home soon?
I'm still at work. I'll be home later.
What? I can't hear you.
I'll be home later.
Hold on.
- Are you still there?
- Yes.
- What's up?
- Nothing, I'll be home later.
I've made dinner. It's getting cold.
- What is it?
- A quiche like you said.
And nuggets.
I said one or the other.
Never mind, that's good.
- I wait for you?
- No, start without me.
Ok, do I have quiche or nuggets?
Whatever you like best.
Gotta go now. Love you.
Mrs Mady?
Mrs Mady?
Can we talk?
We can go to a caf.
I don't have time.
I need you to help me.
I said I saw nothing.
I don't believe you.
I'm not a liar.
No, but you're holding back.
Excuse me, I'd like to go home.
Following me home?
If I must, why not?
- Can you do that?
- No, but it's important.
You have to tell me what you saw.
I understand your fear.
You think your word won't count
opposite police officers.
I don't want any trouble.
So you saw something.
- You'll be fine.
- What do you know?
You won't get the reprisals.
You found me. They will too.
My job is to ensure offending officers
don't start again.
You agree such officers
must be punished?
It never happens.
- Why say that?
- It's the truth.
I see the BAC guys
running checks on local kids.
They make them snap,
then arrest them.
Humiliation, beatings, fake reports...
It's non-stop.
They're never punished.
I filmed what happened.
- You filmed it?
- Yes.
It was noisy outside.
I saw guys
around a burning motor scooter.
I filmed it with my phone.
Out of curiosity.
Then the police arrived.
- Do you still have the video?
- Yes.
I almost put it online,
but changed my mind.
No one cares if Blacks and Arabs
get beaten up.
Now it's white guys,
you're interested,
and I have to help you?
Would you be here
if the guy wasn't white?
Yes.
We investigate police out here too.
Really?
Have many been sentenced?
We don't get to decide,
but some have been.
Suspended sentences at worst.
No one dares to oppose the police.
How many have been fired?
How many?
Fired, none.
None?
You see, none.
Will you entrust me with the video?
It's not here, it's at home.
I can go with you.
Trust works both ways.
Alright.
- You still have my card?
- Yes.
You know it'll change nothing.
Hey, you, no!
That's not for you.
Hey, the filth! What's up?
Not too tired? Go home now.
What'll you do anyway? C'mon.
You're busted now. C'mon!
They're coming!
They're coming! Scram!
Scram!
Let's run! Run!
Hi.
Benot, I've something to show you.
Coming.
Hey, the filth! What's up?
Not too tired? Go home now.
What'll you do anyway? C'mon.
You're busted now. C'mon!
They're coming!
They're coming! Scram!
Scram!
Let's run! Run!
Guillaume!
Can you play it again?
Where are Girard and Cordier?
They come from up here.
Not with the others?
No, they're just walking along.
They're coming!
Scram!
Now they're facing the BRI.
Rmi on the left,
Guillaume on the right.
You can see he's holding his phone.
Let's run! Run!
- Hold on, two guys fired.
- Yes.
Watch the riot g*ns.
They fire together.
- Two shots, one impact.
- Right.
Two shots at a guy fleeing.
They can't plead self-defence.
- A can hit them.
- That was before.
There's no threat now.
- Girard turns as he runs.
- He does?
- Are you sure?
- Yes.
Let's see.
He turns to look at them.
- He turns.
- It justifies sh**ting?
- He's running, he's not a threat.
- I didn't say that.
But they could use it.
It's a reprisal.
Some jerk lobs a can at them
and they sh**t at the first guy.
There's the kick too.
What the hell's he doing?
I agree, he's out of line.
And they walk away.
Nice and easy.
This sucks.
Can you tell who does what?
Yes.
Fages kicks him.
Lavalle's here.
Here, Jacquet and Garcia.
Brzezenski down the street.
- So Fages and Lavalle fired?
- Yes.
Guillaume!
Is the video online?
No, the witness didn't post it.
Good, we can work more serenely.
Have you summoned the officers again?
I waited to talk to you.
Three of them are overseas.
- Where are they?
- Posted to Mayotte.
Brzezenski, Jacquet and Garcia.
We won't wait for them.
Question Lavalle and Fages,
the main suspects.
Do I put them in custody?
I hadn't considered that.
They clearly lied.
Unless we surprise them,
they can confer.
What is this? You're switching roles.
Usually, the court wants custody
and inspectors delay.
They don't know about the video.
I can confront them with it.
If you question them simultaneously,
they can't confer.
Organize it with your team.
Alright.
Goodbye, Mrs Bertrand.
Lavalle is at reception.
And Fages?
He won't be coming.
- What?
- A doctor's note.
He's on sick leave.
- Is he serious?
- What do we do?
Send Lavalle home
and wait until Fages gets back?
f*ck...
Fetch him.
Alright.
Mr Lavalle, you claimed
not to remember a demonstrator
injured by an LBD shot.
- Do you stand by that?
- Yes.
You didn't fire a shot that could have
injured someone at 6:30pm?
No.
- Nor your colleagues?
- Not as far as I know.
I'll show you a video.
Do these images help you
to remember?
Not every detail.
Can you describe what we see here?
We see rioters shout insults
and throw a projectile.
They run off on seeing us.
Our group arrives at the corner
opposite two hostile individuals.
Fages and I fire
to protect our colleagues.
What makes you say
the two individuals were hostile?
Every demonstrator we met
was hostile.
They'll say the opposite.
If you believe them,
you wonder who attacked the police,
who pillaged stores or wrecked streets.
We're talking about these two,
the ones in front of you.
How was their behaviour
a threat that justified sh**ting?
sh**ting must be necessary
and proportionate.
They run off,
so clearly did something wrong.
One turns to throw a projectile at us.
When does he do that?
As he turns.
I saw it from another angle
than in the video.
From where I was, it was clear.
He was threatening.
I didn't want us to get hit in the face
by a metal bolt.
In a situation of self-defence,
you have to react fast.
No doubt.
But you weren't facing
heavily armed t*rrorists,
just two unarmed demonstrators.
- So you say.
- The images show it.
Many demonstrators
turned into wild animals.
And a bolt can k*ll.
It's an exaggeration to say Mr Girard
acted like a wild animal.
He runs off with his back to you.
What did you do next,
once Mr Girard was on the ground?
I don't remember.
We probably carried on our way.
You know Mr Girard
was hit in the head?
He was seriously wounded.
That wasn't my impression.
I didn't aim at his head.
So Mr Fages' shot
hit Mr Girard's head?
I didn't say that.
I didn't aim at his head.
Nor did my colleague.
So after sh**ting,
you carried on your way.
Yes.
Let's view the rest of the video.
What do you see?
It isn't very clear.
It looks like my colleague
nudges him with his foot.
That's a kick.
I don't know. Maybe.
I don't remember that.
On seeing Mr Fages in the video,
is his gesture justified?
Is Mr Girard a threat
at that moment?
I don't know.
Maybe my colleague thought
he would pick up something
and didn't want to risk it.
You'll have to ask him.
I can't answer for him.
Well?
He's reading his statement.
He claims self-defence, didn't aim
at the head or see Girard was hurt.
- And the kick?
- He didn't see it.
When he leaves,
he'll call Fages about the video.
Exactly.
We need to put him in custody
and get Fages.
I'll call the court.
Inspector Bertrand, IGPN,
for Mr Langlois.
It's urgent.
I want to put an officer in custody
and need his approval.
Ok, I'll try his mobile.
Thank you.
Call that a hotline?
A family emergency.
sh*t, his voicemail.
Inspector Bertrand here.
Please call me about Lavalle and Fages
in case 137.
Call the duty magistrate.
It'll take ages to explain.
- Ok, can I go?
- No.
- Why not?
- You're in custody.
I'm sorry?
For deliberate violence
by a state-appointed official.
You may consult your lawyer
or a court-appointed one.
You may also see a doctor
if you wish.
Are you serious?
Don't I look serious?
I, Stphanie Bertrand,
in pursuance of the preliminary inquiry,
under article 75
and following of the penal code,
assisted by colleagues Benot Gurini
and Carole Delarue,
with a summons
to appear under article 78/2
of the penal code,
proceed to 5, Rue Pasteur,
94450 Limeil-Brvannes,
arriving at 1:15 pm,
discover it to be a house
whose door is opened
by a male individual
corresponding to Mr Mickael Fages.
Wearing armbands,
our rank given,
after ascertaining Mr Fages's identity,
we take him in for questioning
at 1:30 pm.
We inform Mr Fages that his custody
and relating rights
are outlined in the statement of offence
provided.
Duly noted.
Stphanie!
What's this custody
without court approval?
I had to move fast.
Langlois couldn't be reached.
He called me later and approved it.
- So it's all in order?
- Absolutely.
Do you confirm we see you
and Mr Lavalle firing at Mr Girard?
Yes.
Did your shot hit Mr Girard?
I don't know.
In the video, you can see he is hit.
Yes.
He had a serious head wound.
I didn't aim at the head.
Not allowed.
How far do you think you were
from Mr Girard?
Around 20 metres?
14 metres.
At that distance,
the LBD's margin of error is 4 cm.
So one of you aimed at his head.
You'll need to check the riot g*ns.
Maybe they were faulty,
with a deviated trajectory.
After using them all day,
surely you'd have realized?
A flaw in the a*mo then.
I didn't aim at the head.
There's nothing to prove
my client's shot hit Mr Girard.
What did you do
when the demonstrator fell?
I don't remember.
Make an effort.
Alright.
I'll show you the rest.
Can you describe what you see?
I'm listening.
I...
I see I make a move to pull away
because he tries to grab my leg,
probably to make me fall.
Where do you see Mr Girard
trying to grab your leg?
The image isn't clear.
Really?
I find it very clear.
That's easy to say now.
I sensed he wanted to grab my leg.
Mr Girard is prostrate.
He doesn't move at all.
You approach and kick him.
When he is lying there injured.
For me, he isn't injured.
Simply knocked off balance,
after our shots hit his chest.
He holds his head and can't get up.
After sh**ting,
you check that the person hit
is not wounded.
I said, for me he isn't wounded.
He didn't cry out, I saw no blood.
Otherwise, I'd have helped him.
- Has he been on?
- Not yet.
Is it true you've put the BRI guys
in custody?
We talk about that now?
Yes. Is it true?
Not just me, the court as well.
Don't mince words.
Is it your inquiry?
You're mad.
BRI guys, after the Bataclan?
- I know.
- The guys are heroes.
They're in the front line
while you investigate from your desk.
It's sickening.
Give it a rest.
I hear that tune all day long.
- You should try thinking.
- Do they?
Being in the BRI
doesn't let them act like cowboys.
Cowboys.
Those cowboys didn't invent
the Wild West.
You've lost it.
You'd trust hooligans over the BRI?
Do you know the case?
I hear the main witness did time.
Stop parroting what you hear.
Keep union talk for your bedroom.
Leave Nolie out of this.
Victor's scared to say we're police.
It's true. Another dad
asked what school I taught at.
I didn't understand.
"I hear you teach sport.
I teach French..."
I didn't dare correct him.
Imagine that?
He's ashamed to say I'm a cop.
What's the world coming to?
And you fuel hate of the police.
Rubbish. I do my job as an inspector,
as always.
You've changed.
If you'd applied for the IGPN,
I'd still be in Narcs.
You were glad one of us
had regular hours for Victor.
I liked Narcs too.
Ok, I investigate colleagues,
it's no fun,
but if they screw up, they face it.
Put yourself in their shoes.
That's all I ever do.
But excusing those who screw up
and crawling to the unions
makes serious cops quit the force.
Only the assholes will be left.
Nilay and Victor!
For months now,
the government has asked officers
to risk their lives
against hooligans
set on destroying the Republic.
Our colleagues are confronted
with chaos and insurrection.
And today we've learned
that our BRI colleagues,
the BRI whose courage
requires no proof,
are in custody like common delinquents.
This decision will not help
to diminish the unease
that is already rife in our ranks.
My colleagues are sick of it.
The government has to understand
we are close to breaking point.
And once we're gone,
no one will protect the Republic.
We stand with our colleagues
- What's up?
- Custody is cancelled.
Can someone explain?
The big chiefs are here.
They're waiting for you.
I called the court to suggest
cancelling custody and they agreed.
We need the unions on board
when our forces are permanently on call.
Fages and Lavalle
lied to us frequently.
Fages tried to avoid questioning
with delaying tactics.
Under article 78,
forcing them to appear by force
was justified.
Thank you, I know the penal code.
I understand your desire
to extend custody.
But you can summon them voluntarily.
That changes the balance of power
and you know it.
The acts are serious.
A video shows it wasn't self-defence
or even a response.
If the video is vivid enough,
perhaps custody wasn't necessary.
We have to determine
which one wounded Mr Girard.
Extending custody
maintained pressure.
Custody is cancelled.
I hope you have other ways
to move ahead.
Have you consulted ballistics?
There's a re-enactment next week.
Good.
That will allow you to progress.
I'll be very clear.
We can't get on the wrong side
of the profession.
The Directorate and the Ministry agree.
The ballistics
and medical experts agree,
given the officers' similar height,
the close firing angles,
and Mr Girard's movement,
that it is impossible to determine
which shot hit Mr Girard's head
and led to the injuries resulting
in more than 60 days' sick leave.
St Dizier up in arms
Mrs Girard...
Hello.
I wanted to talk to you,
even though I shouldn't.
May I come in?
The preliminary inquiry is over.
Your lawyer will be in touch,
but I wanted to talk to you first.
Why?
To give you a few explanations.
The inquiry identified the officers
who fired.
It showed their response
was unnecessary and disproportionate.
Meaning they're at fault.
But it was impossible to determine
which shot caused your son's head wound.
It has to be one of them.
They'll charge both.
No.
I don't understand.
There were two shots fired.
But only one hit Guillaume.
The ballistics and medical reports
couldn't determine which hit his head.
They both fired,
they're both responsible.
Legally, it's not that simple.
No one is punished
cos you can't say which one did it?
I know that's hard to hear.
Guillaume has lasting after-effects.
They've ruined his life.
And no one will be punished?
The officer who kicked your son
is charged with violence.
Violence that didn't result
in sick leave.
No sick leave?
Yes.
And their chiefs?
Someone must be responsible.
No order was given
that can be deemed ill*gal.
The police were told to contain
violent demonstrators
by any means possible.
Guillaume wasn't violent.
I know.
And that changes nothing?
No.
Why did you even come here?
I wanted to tell you I did my best
to establish the truth.
You did your job well,
but what use is your job?
What use is it?
- You wanted to see me?
- Yes.
Close the door, please.
I have a problem.
Yes?
You should have told me
you know the Girards.
I don't know them.
You have a family tie with them.
No.
We just come from the same town.
I didn't know them
before working on this case.
Are you sure?
St Dizier is a small town.
It isn't a village though.
You have no tie with them?
Girard's mother looked after mine
three years ago.
But I didn't know that at first.
I call that a tie.
Maybe, but it didn't influence
the inquiry.
Do I take your word for it?
I focused on the search for proof.
The BRI officers' faults
are objective and serious.
Never mind.
Your tie with the Girards
made you biased.
- Biased?
- Yes.
The law requires impartiality
and equality.
Without that, there's no justice.
Deontologically,
you can see it's a problem.
Even subconsciously,
it influenced your view.
It directed your choices.
You empathized with the plaintiff
and understood him.
Coming from the same spot
no doubt counted.
It's only human.
You're right, it's only human.
It probably altered my approach.
If I wasn't from the same "spot",
without this tie, as you call it,
I'd have probably given up sooner.
I'd never have found that video.
I'd have been content
with two contradictory accounts.
I'd have believed the victim
and his family less,
and been more receptive
to the officers' version.
True, I was born in St Dizier.
And Guillaume Girard's mother
did indeed meet mine.
But I've been in the police 20 years,
my son's father too,
and my colleagues.
I investigate colleagues.
I know their lives,
the lack of consideration and scorn
they suffer.
The difficulty of law enforcement,
the complexity and thanklessness of it.
Isn't that a bias too?
It depends on your point of view.
If any other point of view
is deemed hostile, what then?
How do we live together?
I don't know anymore.
I was born in St Dizier,
like the Girards.
And I'm a cop like the guys
who shot the Girard boy.
I'm both.
And, I hope, something else too.
A diligent inspector.
A good friend.
A not too useless mother.
There.
I understand.
You're right in a way.
But taking things to heart
leads to errors.
At what point
do we take things to heart?
Look, if there's a trial,
the defence could get wind
of what you call a flimsy tie.
It could discredit the inquiry.
And the IGPN as a whole.
You should've known better
and talked to me.
And someone else would've got the case.
And not taken it to heart.
Don't react like this, it's no use.
I don't know
if the victim will take civil action.
In any event,
you won't stay on this case.
Our deontology must be exemplary.
Don't worry, I made sure
you'll avoid an administrative inquiry.
You have nothing to fear.
An administrative inquiry?
- I could be sanctioned?
- I promise you won't be.
Are you serious?
What's so funny?
I'm watching videos.
Are you ok, Mum?
Yes, everything's fine.
Hello.
My name is Guillaume Girard.
One year ago,
police officers shot at me
with their riot g*ns.
One of the shots
hit me in the head
and smashed in my cranium.
I spent a long time in the hospital.
I couldn't speak for several weeks.
I had to learn all over again
with a speech therapist.
The doctors say
my brain will remain damaged.
I cannot concentrate anymore.
I cannot think anymore.
I forget everything.
I have migraines.
Sometimes,
I go to pieces.
I become aggressive.
I have become a burden
for my mother.
I don't understand
why the officers shot at me.
They say I was going
to throw something,
but that isn't true.
They're lying.
I didn't do anything.
I keep thinking about them.
I try not to hate them.
I try to remain positive.
It isn't easy.
Jolle!
C'mon, Mum!
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Case 137 (2025)
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