“They found themselves in a story that is not theirs and they served as an example.
It is the consternation and the dismay at the police station of the XVIIe arrondissement to which belong three of the four police officers indicted in the case of the beating of Michel Zecler which occurred on the evening of November 21.
Two of them have been sleeping since Monday morning at the Health Remand Center in Paris, in the district for vulnerable detainees, the third was placed under judicial supervision.
According to our information, a feasibility study for wearing an electronic bracelet has already been commissioned by the judge of freedoms and detention (JLD).
Assault on Michel Zecler: the public prosecutor delivers the police officers' version
The profile of the three officials, appreciated by their colleagues and rather well rated by their superiors, corresponds poorly to the seriousness of the incriminated facts: "willful violence by a person holding public authority (PDAP)" with several aggravating circumstances including comments to racist character and "forgery in public writing by a person holding public authority", a crime punishable by assizes.
The brigadier, Philippe T, 44, a police officer since 2001 and group leader in the 17th since 2011, is described in particular as "experienced and having the confidence of his hierarchy", according to his individual notification book that we were able to consult .
He is rated 6 in 2019 and in 2020, the maximum score.
A multicultural brigade, no fact of racism
These police officers belonged to a brigade described elsewhere as multicultural, against which no complaint had previously been filed for acts of racism.
All denied before IGPN investigators and the examining magistrate the accusations of racism brought against them by the music producer.
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During his police custody for rebellion and violence, a procedure closed without further action, Michel Zecler first claimed to have been treated as a "dirty nigger" by only one of the protagonists: Aurélien L., 23, the youngest of the four police officers. .
Dressed in civilian clothes on the day of the incident, this policeman was described by the victim as "very aggressive".
Less well rated of the four by the hierarchy, he is the one who had drafted the report of the interpellation, now accused of being false, the other two only signing it.
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In his complaint filed a few days later at the IGPN, Michel Zecler finally declared that he had also suffered racist insults from two other police officers: Brigadier Philippe T. and Pierre P, 31, the driver of the patrol.
It is this peacekeeper who was left free under judicial control, against the advice of the prosecution.
In the police force since 2014 and in the 17th since 2018, he is considered by his hierarchy as “a good civil servant”, “motivated and available”, rated 5 in 2019 and 2020.
According to our information, the profile of the latter - he is the father of an infant - and the circumstances of the alleged assault - driver, he is the last to have entered the room - as well as his behavior before the judge - he does not did not try to justify the beatings to the victim - would explain that he escaped prison.
A witness present in the studio confirmed having heard racist remarks without being able to attribute them.
A smell of narcotic, a bag on my belt
Before the judge, the officials all admitted that the blows of batons and punches were not justified.
On a mission to control the wearing of the confinement mask, they claim to have been intrigued by the strange behavior of the producer, who did not wear one but gave off a strong odor of narcotic while wearing a bag on the belt.
An accessory that can be seen securely attached to his waist, on the video of the beating broadcast by Loopsider.
The satchel was finally found two days later with a tiny amount of cannabis inside.
The police deny having followed the producer to his premises.
According to them, Michel Zecler would have dragged the peacekeeper Aurélien L. by the arm then the brigadier.
They say they tried to stop him in the street, putting a hand on his shoulder and standing in the way, without success.
What followed - the rain of blows as unacceptable as they were unbearable - the police explained by the effect of panic.
They would have been, they assure, physically exceeded by the strength of a man of 110 kg for 1.86m, keen on combat sport.
“I hope that the investigation will be able to take place in serenity and normality, confides Me Anne-Laure Compoint, the lawyer of the incarcerated brigadier and of the peacekeeper placed under judicial control, who refuses to make any further comment.
