The Prime Minister is due to make public this afternoon the conclusions of one of the two inspection missions carried out after the knife attack at the police headquarters (PP) on October 3. The attacker, a computer scientist stationed at the intelligence directorate (DRPP), converted to a strict Islam, Mickaël Harpon, killed four before being killed. The report commissioned by Matignon from the Inspectorate of Intelligence Services draws up an inventory with regard to the “vulnerability” of French agents.
According to our information, the tools available to services and the processes for identifying these vulnerabilities have been deemed to be of a good standard, but could be improved because they are heterogeneous. Since 2014, 16 agents have been dismissed on suspicion of radicalization, but none since the attack at the police headquarters.
Reinforced procedures
However, it was deemed necessary to reinforce the procedures for authorization of secret defense which do not meet the same standards according to the services. DRPP agents, who were subject to a specific procedure, will now be treated by the DGSI, the national intelligence service. The General Secretariat of Defense and National Security is responsible for establishing a common doctrine.
Recruitment will be harmonized to the highest standards, with an interview prior to assignment in the presence of a psychologist and a security officer.
All cases of possible radicalization will be followed up at a central level, and no longer only within the departments concerned. Initial and continuous training will focus on detecting “weak signals”.
Friday, a final wedging meeting was held in the office of the Prime Minister's chief of staff, in the presence of those responsible for intelligence services called "the first circle", starting with the DGSI (inside) and the DGSE (outside ), as well as the National Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Coordinator (Elysée).