France denies police racism is widespread, but evidence tells another story

France has repeatedly denied systemic racism in the national police force, even in the face of evidence showing that people perceived as being black or of North African descent are more often targets of police stops and violence. © Charles Platiau/Reuters

The recent riots in France, sparked by the deadly police shooting of a young man of North African descent, once more raised the question whether French police unfairly target ethnic minorities. While French authorities continue to say the national police force does not have a problem with racism, research shows the contrary.

“Racism and discrimination, stop-and-search, are part of the activities of any police force, everywhere," says political scientist Jacques De Maillard, who studies policing in France and around the world.