What does the police do exactly ? They arrest delinquants, safeguard civil liberties, prevent fraud in public transport; provide first aid, solve criminal cases, stop clandestine immigration, protect schools, act as social workers, prevent terrorist attacks, provide security for major events, organise traffic…
The role of the police in France is both, preventive and repressive, at all times and everywhere. But this zero tolerance strategy creates a rift between the police and the population and puts into question the idea of a public service.

As the strategy of repression is at a dead end today, are there alternatives? Thanks to the testimony of policemen in Saint Brieux, France, and Leicester in Great Britain, as well as the findings of specialists, we will try to explore some answers to – and thoughts on - this question and we’ll look at how to redefine the mission of the national police and the place of the citizen in this equation.

AVAILABLE FOR SCREENING: Original French version only.