A former police major, who worked at the Paris tribunal’s depot, was tried on September 15 before the 10th correctional chamber of Paris for multiple sexual assaults committed against four young female police officers in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024. Late in the evening, he was sentenced to 16 months in prison, with 10 months suspended.
Before the trial, the three young police officers, one of whom had just graduated from school, exchanged messages about the major’s behavior. They described him as “ingérable” and said he made them feel uncomfortable with his comments and actions, such as touching their backs and making suggestive remarks.
The officers decided to report the incidents to their superior and wrote a report in March 2024, when they realized that the major’s behavior was not only directed towards them but also towards other young women. They received support from a male colleague who witnessed one of the assaults.
The report was transmitted to the police prefecture, which filed a complaint with the prosecutor’s office. A criminal investigation for sexual harassment was launched, and the major was eventually charged and brought to trial.
Testimony and Evidence
During the trial, the four female police officers testified about the major’s behavior, describing how he had touched them inappropriately, made suggestive comments, and created a hostile work environment. One of the officers, Alexandrine, said that the major had blocked her against a wall and kissed her on the forehead in the armory.
Another officer, Carla, said that the major had touched her buttocks while pretending to give her a kiss on the cheek. A third officer, Sara, said that the major had gotten into an elevator with her and kissed her on the neck, making her feel uncomfortable and scared.
A fourth police officer, who had not previously reported any incidents, came forward during the trial and described how the major had made suggestive comments to her, touched her breasts, and kissed her on the mouth while she was on sick leave and alone with her two children.
The major’s lawyer, Marie Dosé, argued that her client had not intended to harm anyone and that his actions were a result of his generation and upbringing. However, the prosecutor argued that the major’s behavior was a clear abuse of power and that he had created a toxic work environment.
The major himself acknowledged that he had made mistakes and said that he was sorry for his actions. However, he also claimed that he had not intended to harm anyone and that his actions were not meant to be sexual in nature.
The judge ultimately sentenced the major to 16 months in prison, with 10 months suspended, citing the multiplicity of the offenses, the major’s hierarchical position, and his profession as a police officer.
The judge also stated that the major’s behavior was a violation of the social norms and expectations of a police officer, saying “On représente des institutions, Monsieur” (“We represent institutions, sir”).
The major was also ordered to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet for 6 months. The sentence was seen as a significant victory for the four female police officers who had come forward to report the major’s behavior.
The case highlights the ongoing issue of sexual harassment and abuse of power within the police force and the need for greater accountability and support for victims.
The prosecutor’s request for 16 months in prison, with 8 months suspended, was slightly modified by the judge, who ultimately sentenced the major to 16 months in prison, with 10 months suspended, and ordered him to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet for 6 months. Marie Dosé had argued that her client was a man of his generation and had not intended to harm anyone, but the judge emphasized the importance of respecting social norms and the major’s position of authority.
Aftermath and Implications
The fact that the major was able to continue his behavior for so long, despite multiple complaints, raises concerns about the effectiveness of the police force’s internal mechanisms for reporting and addressing such incidents.
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