The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are anticipated to mobilize up to 30,000 police officers daily, with numbers potentially reaching 45,000 during peak days such as the opening ceremony on July 26, 2024. This significant law enforcement effort has sparked concerns and uncertainties among officers.
The selection process for officers deployed to Paris for the Games is a major source of worry, with many officers expressing concerns about potential lack of consideration for their personal and family circumstances. This uncertainty has become a focal point for the policing community, especially given the additional pressures from recent protests, the upcoming Rugby World Cup, and heightened security concerns due to conflicts in the Middle East.
The Ministry of the Interior is in discussions with police unions to address these concerns. Talks have centered on four key areas: leave, gratuities, social support for officers, and adjustments to working hours. The Ministry has proposed tiered bonuses for officers based on their level of engagement, but there is opposition from the Alliance Police union, which advocates for a fixed bonus or the equivalent of a 13th-month salary for all officers, regardless of their direct involvement in security operations.
Leave policies have also been a point of contention. After initially declaring a ban on leave during the Olympic period, the Ministry has authorized a two-week vacation window between June 15 and September 15. However, the unions argue that this does not align with the summer holiday schedules for officers’ families, further adding to dissatisfaction among the policing community.
Additionally, concerns about social support services, particularly for childcare, have arisen due to the closure of many daycare centers in August. There are fears that officers will not have access to appropriate support for their children during the Games.
In response to these challenges, the Alliance Police union has called for a day of mobilization on January 18, 2024, to address the concerns of the police community. The preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics involve ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved, including the police officers, and require careful consideration and adequate support from all stakeholders.
