Police Ethics Units, or the Denial of Justice for the Poor

The main issue appeared to be that complaints against the police are handled by departments (rarely mentioned in the media) that are not independent from the police hierarchy, particularly when it comes to the working class.

This investigation exposed the lack of transparency within the police institution and shed light on the obstacles victims face when seeking legal recourse. By documenting cases, amplifying underrepresented voices, and providing in-depth analysis, Flagrant Déni aimed to combat impunity, empower victims, and promote a more transparent and accountable media landscape.

Project Activities

a. Publication of a Major Investigation into Police Ethics Committees

Flagrant déni published a major investigation into police ethics committees, examining their role in police oversight in France. The investigation combined interviews with scientists, experts, practitioners, police officers, and residents of working-class and immigrant neighbourhoods with in-depth legal analyses of relevant legislation.

The findings were published on the Flagrant déni website through a comprehensive investigation report, available free of charge in PDF format, alongside a summary and interactive multimedia content. These resources included a map of police ethics units and other oversight services across metropolitan France and its overseas territories, video and audio excerpts from interviews with victims, lawyers and specialists, a storytelling section explaining the origins of the investigation, statistical data, and personal testimonies, particularly from victims.

Through this multimedia approach, the project aimed to make complex information about police oversight more accessible and shed light on the experiences of people affected by policing practices.

b. Publication Series on the Trial of a Police Officer Accused of Police Violence

In September 2025, Flagrant déni published a series of articles covering the trial of a police officer accused of police violence. The case, investigated by the police ethics unit in Lyon, provided an opportunity to examine the role and functioning of these relatively little-known oversight services.

The trial received widespread media coverage, including in national outlets such as Le Monde and Mediapart. The articles produced by Flagrant déni also contributed to the project's broader investigation into police ethics committees and oversight mechanisms in France, complementing its legal analysis and other investigative findings.

What is the impact?

Flagrant Déni’s investigation brought the independence of police ethics units, particularly departmental units, into public debate. Through exclusive interviews with researchers, police officers, lawyers and victims, and previously unpublished Ministry of Justice data obtained through a request to the Commission for Access to Administrative Documents (CADA), the project provided new evidence on the handling of police violence cases in France. The findings highlighted a decline in IGPN staffing alongside an increase in investigations into police violence, as well as a falling clearance rate for these cases since 2016. The investigation attracted widespread media attention and prompted a public response from the head of the National Police Inspectorate, who addressed the concerns raised in the report. Police representatives also publicly acknowledged the need to address shortcomings in the independence of investigations. Furthermore, some of Flagrant Déni’s recommendations were taken up by parliamentarians. While the available evidence does not establish that the investigation led to changes in police practices, it contributed to public scrutiny of police oversight mechanisms and brought previously unpublished data and documented concerns to a wider audience.

Project Links

• POLICES DES POLICES EN FRANCE : POURQUOI IL FAUT TOUT CHANGER
• Rapport
• Synthése

Project Pictures

Photo by Flagrant Deni