Police officer in court for cannabis use and incitement

This is not a typical case for a criminal court. A former police officer is appearing in court today in Pontoise for smoking cannabis. in a YouTube video by Noman Hosni The video was viewed by nearly 400,000 people before it was taken down. At the time, Julien* was a member of the National Police. In the video, his face is blurred and his voice is altered, but he is wearing his uniform. This act of defiance led to his dismissal by his superiors.

In addition to this administrative penalty, Julien is being prosecuted by the Pontoise District Attorney’s Office. The potential sentence is five years in prison and A fine of 75,000 euros for encouraging drug use, and one year in prison and a fine of 3,500 euros for drug use. «As I speak, he is unemployed and living with his parents, who are supporting him. The police’s decision to revoke his license is serious enough that we should not make his legal situation any worse.», “asks Bruno Illouz, his lawyer.”.

This legal action is also seen as abusive, according to Bénédicte Desforges, a founding member of Police Against Prohibition (PCP), a collective of police officers in favor of cannabis legalization. «This is a very symbolic case because it is a cop. He said, ‘I’m a good cop, I smoke cannabis, and I’m offering some perspective on cannabis use.’ It was a powerful gesture; it wouldn’t have had the same impact if he hadn’t been wearing his uniform. That was brave!»

«Damages the reputation of the national police»

«As a police officer, you are facing the problem of drugs. I try to do it thoughtfully, to do it right. We mustn’t forget that we’re in a country where smoking isn’t legal, so we have to comply with our country’s laws.», Julien says in the video. But the police believe that by wearing his uniform, the former police officer «undermines the credibility and reputation of the police" national«According to our information, his superiors used those words when he was dismissed, after nine years on the force.”.

And that uniform could also carry a lot of weight in court. «On social media, he presents himself as a public official, but behind the scenes he’s committing a drug offense punishable by imprisonment. He doesn’t even run a red light! That’s where the problem lies. The uniform represents the institution’s image and reputation.», says Yann Bastière, national representative of the Unité SGP Police FO union.

Julien will not be able to attend the court hearing this Thursday. Since his dismissal, he has returned to Réunion, where his parents live. «It's his choice", explains his lawyer. »He decided not to go to court, given the costs involved in buying a plane ticket and arranging accommodations, as well as the current health situation." Bruno Illouz will therefore represent his client in court. The hearing begins at 1:30 p.m.