France's Police Union Denounces Political Use of Police Amid Rising Protest Injuries

On October 26, Mickaël Dequin, the national delegate of the French police union UN1TÉ, voiced sharp criticism of the ongoing social protests and the political management that relies heavily on police forces as buffers against public discontent. Dequin revealed that over a thousand police officers have been injured since the protests began several weeks ago, a toll surpassing that of the months-long gilets jaunes movement. He reported that 200 officers were injured just last Saturday, significantly higher than official early government figures. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez later confirmed 267 police injuries alongside 150 injuries among protestors, including three serious cases.

Dequin emphasized the legitimate anger over rising living costs, a grievance shared by many police officers, some of whom earn near minimum wage. He condemned political leaders for failing to address these root issues, instead overburdening police with enforcement duties. Dequin also criticized calls to ban defense ball launcher weapons (LBDs) during protests, suggesting that student protest leaders emulate trade unions in their approach to managing demonstrations.

This statement highlights growing fatigue within police ranks and demands political accountability rather than continued reliance on force. The union calls for authorities to "take their responsibilities" to resolve underlying causes fueling societal unrest rather than treating police as mere shields against protesters.

This update continues coverage of tensions surrounding France's 2026 social protests, adding a detailed police perspective on injury numbers and political accountability, deepening understanding of the crisis dynamics.