Politician questions constantly armed police

Tuesday, 29 August 2023 06:30

A Green Councillor in Lausanne is questioning the need for the city’s police officers to be armed at all times.

The rule was changed after the Paris attacks in 2015.

All officers must carry their weapon, even if only carrying out administrative duties in the office.

Ilias Panchard is putting forward a motion for a project for local police without firearms.

He says many officers don’t want to be armed all the time as they fear the weapons could be used against them.

They’re also rarely used. No gun has been fired by the Lausanne police since 2021.

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