A new era of stadium security: A look back at the FC Nantes vs Le Havre match
The last match between FC Nantes and Le Havre marked a significant step in the management of security during sporting events in France. For the first time, a real mobile intervention team, fully equipped, was deployed to limit or prevent land invasions.
A highly equipped intervention team
Footage from the match shows security officers in full protective gear: helmets, shields, knee pads and other personal protective equipment (PPE). This initiative not only strengthened their operational efficiency, but also brought real added value in terms of safety for spectators and players.
A reinforced security continuum
This event perfectly illustrates the concept of security continuum, where collaboration between law enforcement and private security is optimized. The complementarity between these two entities allows a more adapted and rapid response to incidents, while respecting the legal frameworks in force.
A practice already established in Switzerland
It is interesting to note that this approach has already been in place in Switzerland for several years. Some Swiss private security companies offer fully equipped security services for maintaining order at sporting events, demonstrating the effectiveness of this model.
Debates surrounding the resemblance with the Forces of Order
However, this initiative is not without sparking debate. Some criticize the resemblance of the outfits to those of the police, in particular the CRS or the mobile gendarmerie. They refer to the articles of the Internal Security Code (CSI) which prohibit any possible confusion with a public police service:
Article R631-12 of the CSI:
Private security actors must avoid, through their behavior and their mode of communication, any confusion with a public service, in particular a police service. They prohibit any equipmentin particular vehicle sound and light warnings, likely to create such confusion.
Article R613-1 of the CSI:
Employees of surveillance, guarding and cash transport companies as well as those of the internal security services mentioned in Article L. 612-25 are, in the exercise of their functions, dressed in clothing which must not give rise to confusion with the uniforms defined by regulatory texts.
The obligation to provide suitable PPE
Despite these concerns, it is crucial to emphasize that employers have a legal obligation to provide their security guards with personal protective equipment (PPE) adapted to the risks identified in their activity, with specificity for private security:
Article R631-17 of the CSI:
Material means.
Internal security companies and services carrying out one of the activities mentioned in article L. 611-1 or article L. 621-1 and their leaders ensure providing their agents with material means intended to guarantee their safety and to accomplish their missions, in particular those provided for by regulations.
Furthermore, it should be noted that to date there are no significant alternatives in terms of colors or design for this type of equipment that would clearly differ from that used by law enforcement. This similarity, although mentioned, mainly results from the technical standards and optimal protection requirements for these missions.
The Labor Code also specifies that PPE are devices intended to protect workers against risks threatening their health or safety (Article R4311-8).
PPE: A necessity for the protection of agents
PPE plays a crucial role in protecting security guards from various occupational hazards. They include equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, and, in this case, helmets and shields.
It is important to note that certain equipment is excluded from the notion of PPE when it is designed specifically for the armed forces or maintaining law and order. However, in the context of private security, the use of suitable PPE is not only legal but also necessary to ensure the safety of agents.
Compliance with general principles of prevention
The employer has a safety obligation towards its employees, which includes the provision of PPE when other preventive measures are not sufficient to eliminate the risks. According to the general prevention principles of the Labor Code (article L4121-2), priority must be given to collective protection measures, but essential PPE remains a last resort.
Assessment and summary
The introduction of fully equipped mobile intervention teams during the match between FC Nantes and Le Havre represents a major step forward in the security of sporting events in France. Although this initiative gives rise to discussions, particularly on the resemblance with the police, it responds to a need to protect security agents and participants.
It is crucial to find a balance between respecting legal frameworks and putting in place effective measures to ensure the safety of all. This development could well mark the start of a new approach to security in French stadiums, inspired by models already tested abroad.
Related News :