Skating police to be rolled out for "zero-crime" Paris 2024 Olympics

The Territorial Contact Brigade Louvre - Paris Centre, the only roller-skating police unit in France, is to be used for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games as part of its security operations.

Its nine skaters are to be mobilised during the Games as part of a "zero-crime Olympics" plan.

Three team members - Gaël, Antoine and Basile - spoke to French publication 20 Minutes, explaining where they usually patrol on their rollerblades.

Usually, their group visit tourist spots such as Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Hôtel de Ville and Place Vendôme.

"Most of the time, passersby are curious, rarely disrespectful," said Gaël to 20 Minutes.

Basile and Antoine added that photos with the public are common when on patrol.

"This direct contact with fluid and friendly people is really a plus of our job," added Antoine.

However, during the Games, their role will not change significantly, as explained by their head of the team.

"Their priority mission and the reason for which it was imagined in 2001, is the security of tourist sites and the fight against crime linked to tourist phenomena, namely street vendors, pickpockets and against all scams that can affect tourists, such as hat players, petition scams," said Captain Soulié.

"The goal is to be present in a given sector and to show up to dissuade potential perpetrators of offenses from committing their misdeeds, as well as to reassure the population."n October, French Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, said the aim was for a "zero-crime Olympics".

Security has been a key talking point in recent months, with festival organisers being concerned of the status of their events due to the extra forces needed for the Games.

Major festivals such as Lollapalooza and Rock en Seine are still hang in the balance.

Approximately 35,000 police officers and gendarmes are expected to be used at the public-focused Opening Ceremony, with the rest of the Games needing around 30,000 on average.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11 next year, followed by the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8.

posted Sunday January 15th