After citizens and other state bodies, it was the municipal police officers who were honored during a public ceremony that took place yesterday late afternoon at the Jardins Albert 1er.
Prefect Leclerc and Mayor Christian Estrosi honored 145 police officers, administrative staff, and ASVP for their acts of courage and dedication during the tragedy of July 14, 2016 (which we will not discuss further).
Beyond the heavy protocol, there were moments of emotion in the memory of those blood-stained hours during which “you were all exemplary,” affirmed Christian Estrosi, addressing the recipients.
He added with his characteristic emphasis in such circumstances, “Despite the horror, that night was also one of courage, heart, generosity, and heroism.”
In alignment with Prefect Leclerc, whereas it was not the case with his predecessor, the Mayor of Nice publicly thanked “the government and especially Mr. Prefect, who has supported me since his arrival, in my desire to see you honored.”
In turn, the State representative wanted to express his gratitude to the Nice police officers who participated in intervention and rescue operations, in perfect collaboration with their colleagues from the national police and other state services.
A behavior he wanted to define, with admiring expression, as “brothers in arms.”
On the occasion of this ceremony, the new Director of Security, Richard Giannotti, a Nice native with a long career in the national police, was formally inaugurated into his role and received his mission letter from the mayor: to command a community and highly visible police force.
