French police threaten to boycott Olympics if demands aren't met

Police officers in France have threatened to boycott the Olympics if their demands for bonuses, holiday leave and child care aren't met. "Without agreement, the Olympic Games will be without us!" one union member shouted from a stage set up outside the Paris Town Hall.

Hundreds of officers demonstrated in cities across the country on Thursday, voicing their anger in the run-up to the Summer Olympics, which will be held from July 24 to August 11. The Games are expected to attract 15 million people and to ensure public safety the government has called for "100 percent mobilization" of the police force.

Officers want holiday leave, bonuses and child care. But officers want to be compensated and are demanding guarantees on summer holiday leave, bonuses of up to $2,200 and social support during the Olympics, in particular child care assistance.

"The Olympics were decided in 2017 and so far the administration has not given us any answers about how we're going to look after our children this summer, because we're being asked to be 100 percent present with no bonus and no means of child care," said officer Jennifer Soful.

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French news agency AFP reported that the Interior Ministry has been given a $550 million-fund for security forces during the Olympics. According to reports, the government is offering agents 10 working days off between June 15 and September 15, as well as a $550 bonus.

But officers protesting Thursday said that is not enough.

"The problem is that all the police services are at a breaking point" said Stéphane Desreumeaux, who has been an officer for 17 years. "I work in the city of Roissy, and we don't have the resources to cope with the Olympics because we don't have enough staff. Our public safety colleagues are in the same situation. Because in addition to the Olympics, we already have the whole issue of security in the region to deal with."

Public safety a major focus

Public safety is a top priority for the French government, which is hosting its first Summer Olympics in 100 years. Roughly 30,000 security force personnel are needed for the opening ceremony, which is set to take place on the Seine river.

The government wants the negotiations to wrap up as quickly as possible. But some officers said, demonstrations will escalate until they get what they want.

"We are capable of blockading all the police stations in France, the borders and the airports," said Loic Dessertenne, who has been an officer since 2007. "This is a warning. If the government doesn't listen to us and give us concrete measures, we'll go even harder."

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