The National Police and the Gendarmerie are authorized in France to use drones for internal security purposes. The municipal police are excluded from this. Christian Estrosi reaffirms his intention to push for a change in the law.
As home to France’s leading municipal police force, the city of Nice is convinced of the necessity for its officers to be able to use drones. This should be on the same footing as the National Police or Gendarmerie. Christian Estrosi laments the content of the decree published on April 19 in the Official Journal concerning the implementation of image processing using capture devices installed on aircraft for administrative police missions.
“At a time when security remains a priority for the French, where new technologies should support the work of police officers on the ground, it is anachronistic to deny municipal police the use of drones to observe events, provide assistance to people, or other missions of general surveillance,” regrets the municipality.
What the Decree Says
The decree authorizes the processing of personal data captured by drones for specific purposes. These purposes can include: prevention of security threats, safety of public gatherings, prevention of terrorism acts, regulation of transport flows, border surveillance, and aid to individuals.
This text applies to the personnel of the national police and gendarmerie, military deployed on national territory, customs agents, as well as judicial or administrative staff concerned with the processing activities. The municipal police are not textually mentioned.
“Drones Are Part of the Future of Security”
The municipality states it is “convinced that drones are part of the future of security.” It thereby wishes to use this tool daily to strengthen civil safety. This is considered an additional asset, especially in the event of major risks or for the surveillance of large events like the Nice Carnival. Therefore, since 2019, Nice has partnered with Madrid, a pioneer in drone security. In this context, the two municipalities have signed a cooperation agreement.
The Nice municipal police already have five trained agents qualified in using this technology and in video protection processing. Additionally, municipal services already have three drones. These ultra-performing devices were acquired two years ago, but they cannot yet be deployed.
“The City of Nice will continue to advocate for the need to change the law so that the Municipal Police can use drones for their daily missions,” it concludes.
