We are familiar with the attraction political figures have for uniforms; history tells us plenty of cases. Experts trace this attraction to the example of the lords in ancient times, each of whom had their own small army.
In these modern times, this small passion has remained with the new lords of the territories… the mayors.
All this to say that Christian Estrosi “loves” his police; he has made it the largest in France by its numbers, equipped with state-of-the-art tools. He fights, sometimes without success, to expand their competencies, and as he himself says, they are no longer an auxiliary to the National Police but an indispensable partner due to their complementarity.
Last night, the gardens of Villa Masséna were the scene of a ceremony in honor of the police officers who distinguished themselves through their actions over the year. Thirty-four among them received the merit medal or a diploma from Christian Estrosi, his deputy for security, and the Prefect Gonzales.
“Beyond the numbers, there is the reality of action, and it is precisely this that I wanted to highlight by presenting them with these awards,” emphasized the Mayor of Nice.
In a speech full of emphasis, the Mayor of Nice also reflected “on the acts of heroism our police have demonstrated over so many years,” recalling the attack on July 14, 2016, and the more recent one in autumn 2020 at the Basilica of Notre-Dame.
The nation’s recognition was expressed on July 14, 2021, when for the first time, municipal police officers marched down the Champs Élysées carrying the flag emblazoned with the Nice eagle and the badge of the corps decorated with the medal for acts of courage and dedication.
The nation’s recognition also manifested when several of them were rewarded by the Prime Minister for their heroic action, which allowed them to neutralize the assailant during the attack at the Basilica of Notre-Dame in October 2020.
“An honor for these women and men but also proof of national-level acknowledgment of their commitment, professionalism, and skills,” affirmed Christian Estrosi in a solemn tone.
