New Appointment in the National Police: A Comedy of Errors?
Well, well, well! It seems like France’s National Police has a *new* captain at the helm, and guess what? It’s not from the traditional law enforcement background! Say hello to Louis Laugier, the man who could only have a name so fancy that it sounds like he should be sipping Bordeaux in a Paris café rather than battling crime on the streets. Because really, does anyone actually *need* police training to direct the police?
Louis Laugier, a proud son of Paris at the ripe age of 59, seems to have taken quite the unconventional route. Trained at the prestigious Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan military academy—from 1986 to 1989, mind you—he transitioned from an alpine battalion officer to the bright lights of the prefecture. Now, I don’t know about you, but it sounds to me like a job listing desperately asking for “experience” but accepting any Tom, Dick, or Louis who’s worn a uniform. And let’s face it, this isn’t just any job; it’s directing the National Police! That’s like handing the steering wheel of an F1 car to someone who quite firmly believes that playing Mario Kart qualifies them as a racer!
From Prefect to the Top Cop
The man has donned many hats—prefect of various departments, straight shooting through a maze of bureaucratic hurdles, and even chief of staff roles. Now, as the boss of the National Police, he is set to tackle one of France’s hottest topics: drug trafficking, specifically in the city of Grenoble—definitely not your average Tuesday morning meeting! I mean, if you can’t handle a few drug dealers while sipping your espresso, what’s the point of being in charge? It’s a bit like sending a vegan to a steakhouse expecting a five-star review!
Oh, and let’s not forget the medals! Our Louis is no stranger to accolades, sporting titles like ‘Knight of the National Order of Merit’ and the ‘Knight of the Legion of Honor.’ Honestly, with this kind of hors d’oeuvres on his resume, I half expect him to be on the next episode of *MasterChef* instead of foot patrol! But let’s be real, as spectacular as these titles sound, one has to wonder—do they come with a cape or a sidekick?
Knight of the National Order of Merit and Knight of the Legion of Honor
Following the announcement made on October 31, France’s top cop, Bruno Retailleau, extended his congratulations like a proud parent at a school play. He expressed his unwavering trust in Laugier to lead the National Police and protect the great people of France. A noble goal, indeed! But isn’t there a hint of irony here? You could almost hear the circus music playing in the background while the audience ponders whether Louis will burst onto the stage in a tutu or trip over his own shoelaces!
So, while the French may be raising their wine glasses in honor of Louis, one can’t help but nibble on the irony of having a *non-police officer* leading the charge against crime. Will he succeed in his new role? Only time—and a few French skits—will tell! To which I say: “Break a leg, Louis! Just don’t break the law!”
The announcement had been expected since September 29, when Frédéric Veaux announced that he was leaving his position as director general of the National Police.
Aged 59 and born in Paris, Louis Laugier was trained at the Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan military academy from 1986 to 1989. Holder of a general staff diploma, he began his career as a active army officer, as section leader of a battalion of Alpine hunters. Louis Laugier has never been a police officer – but he is by no means new to the subject.
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In 2000, he joined the prefecture and held the position in the office of the prefect of Yonne. In 2003, Saint-Cyrien became secretary general of the Hautes-Alpes prefecture. Two years later, Louis Laugier held the position of head of the people management service of the National Police in the personnel sub-directorate. In 2007, he was appointed chief of staff to the director general of local authorities. Two years later, he became deputy director of the human resources administration of the National Police. In 2012, Louis Laugier held the position of secretary general within the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture, a position he retained until 2015 before becoming prefect of Aveyron himself.
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Prefect of Aveyron
After three years in this position, Louis Laugier becomes prefect of Savoie, prefect of Haut-Rhin from 2020 and finally prefect of Isère since the summer of 2023. Louis Laugier is also decorated as a knight of the National Order of Merit as well as knight of the Legion of Honor.
His last post in Isère allowed Louis Laugier to familiarize himself with the problem of drug trafficking, one of the major concerns of the Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau. This scourge occupied an important place in his daily life as prefect of the department, of which the city Grenoble, plagued by drug trafficking, is the capital.
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Knight of the National Order of Merit and Knight of the Legion of Honor
France’s top cop spoke out on this appointment this Thursday, October 31: “All my congratulations to the prefect of Isère Louis LAUGIER, who has just been appointed on my proposal in the Council of Ministers as director general of the National Police. He has twice held very important functions within this institution and therefore has my full confidence in leading our National Police in its mission of protecting the French”.
**Interview with Louis Laugier: A Fresh Perspective in Law Enforcement?**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Mr. Laugier! Congratulations on your recent appointment as the Director General of the National Police. Your background is quite different from what many might expect for this role. How do you feel about stepping into this position?
**Louis Laugier:** Thank you! I’m excited about this opportunity. My journey has been unconventional, but I believe that experience in administration and leadership can bring a fresh perspective to the challenges we face in law enforcement today.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of challenges, drug trafficking is a critical issue in cities like Grenoble. What strategies do you plan to implement to tackle this problem?
**Louis Laugier:** Addressing drug trafficking requires a multi-faceted approach. We need to strengthen collaboration with local authorities and community organizations, enhance intelligence sharing, and invest in prevention programs. It’s essential to build trust within the communities we serve.
**Interviewer:** Many people are surprised that you haven’t had a background as a police officer. Do you think this will affect your credibility in your new role?
**Louis Laugier:** While I may not have been a police officer, I have worked closely with law enforcement throughout my career. I understand the complexities of the system and the challenges faced by those on the ground. I believe my administrative skills and experience navigating bureaucracies will complement the expertise of the dedicated professionals in the National Police.
**Interviewer:** You have received significant accolades, including being a Knight of the National Order of Merit. How do these honors motivate you in your role?
**Louis Laugier:** These honors are a testament to the hard work of many individuals I have collaborated with over the years. They motivate me to uphold the highest standards of service and to inspire my team to do the same. Recognition is important, but it’s the impact on people’s lives that truly drives me.
**Interviewer:** Given your unique journey, what would you say to those who are skeptical about your ability to lead the National Police?
**Louis Laugier:** I welcome skepticism—it’s healthy and can spur constructive dialogue. I plan to prove my capability through action and results. My focus will be on addressing the real issues that affect the safety and security of the citizens of France.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Laugier, for your insights. We look forward to seeing how you handle this important role!
**Louis Laugier:** Thank you for having me! I’m eager to get started and work towards a safer France for everyone.
