Extension of Local Police Project Planned

On Wednesday 4 December 2024, Luxembourg's Minister for Home Affairs, Léon Gloden, together with the Mayor of Luxembourg City, Lydie Polfer, the Mayor of Esch-sur-Alzette, Christian Weis, and the Director General of the Grand Ducal Police, Pascal Peters, presented the results of the pilot project for local police units.

This pilot project began in Luxembourg City and Esch-sur-Alzette on 1 July 2024.

"Close to the citizens! We wanted to bring the police closer to the citizens. The local police unit is the good neighbour!", stated Minister Gloden during a press conference. "We have worked concretely to strengthen the feeling of security. Proximity is synonymous with prevention: thanks to the local police unit, 1,650 additional checks were carried out that would not have been carried out otherwise."

In addition, the local police carried out approximately 3,400 other preventive police checks and 2,600 specific traffic checks during the same period in Luxembourg City and Esch-sur-Alzette.

As reported by Luxembourg's Ministry of Home Affairs, the pilot project is part of the government's desire to ensure a stronger police presence in public spaces and to re-establish greater proximity. The scope of action of the local police unit is as follows:

- maintaining local public order in order to guarantee public safety, tranquility and health;

- having a visible police presence at predefined strategic locations to ensure the safety of citizens and prevent incidents.

Minister Gloden recalled the "4P" principle, of which the local police unit is deemed a key element: "The local work of the police, which is a priority for the government, is based on the principle of the 4Ps for a better sense of security among the population: more personnel, more presence, more proximity, more prevention".

The minister also indicated that the pilot project will continue until the local police unit is included in the law on the Grand Ducal Police.

During the presentation of the results of the pilot project, the mayors of the two cities expressed their satisfaction with the positive effects of the local police unit patrols.

"Nearly six months after the deployment of local police patrols in the capital, we are not only pleased with the positive feedback from citizens but also with the excellent collaboration based on regular exchanges with the regional police directorate," said Mayor Polfer. "By ensuring a visible presence in the Ville-Haute, Gare and Bonnevoie districts, the local police unit helps prevent incidents and thus strengthen citizens' sense of security. The establishment of a local police force has been a long-standing demand of the City of Luxembourg in the face of an increase in crime and we are now in favour of expanding the project in order to make our city safer."

"The positive results of the local police unit in Esch-sur-Alzette demonstrate the importance of a local approach," commented Mayor Weis. "Thanks to this increased presence on the ground, we have seen a tangible improvement in the feeling of security among our citizens. This initiative not only allows us to respond effectively to local concerns, but also to strengthen the bond of trust between the police and the population. I thank the officers for their daily commitment and am delighted to see this project perpetuated to even better meet the needs of our community."

During the press conference, Police Director General Pascal Peters recalled the initial idea of ​​the local police concept, which consisted of ensuring local public order, as well as a visible and increased police presence of a certain duration in public spaces, aimed at guaranteeing greater accessibility and proximity of the officers.

Regarding the experiences gained from the pilot project, Mr Peters stressed that consultation with the mayor(s) must be regular/weekly, and that a standardised report is required for this purpose. As for the organisation of the service within the police units concerned, several models have been tested in recent months and, ultimately, an organisation in "variable rotation pool" mode is recommended, as it provides greater flexibility in the management of local police patrols.

During the pilot project, approximately 1,650 local police "actions" were carried out in the territory of the two municipalities (approximately one third in Esch-sur-Alzette and two thirds in Luxembourg), the Director General reported.

He added that police officers generally appreciated the direct contact with citizens in the context of these missions.

The Director General then presented the criteria, which are cumulative, for the introduction of a local police force in other municipalities:

- places with high traffic;

- presence of a certain amount of delinquency/crime occurring (in a visible manner) at specific and demarcated locations;

- frequent and major problems with local public order.

As a local police unit is always attached to a specific police station, additional staff will be required.

"We are on the right track," said Minister Gloden, referring to a boost in recruitment. "At the beginning of the year, I increased the number of candidates per class from 160 to 200. A new recruitment campaign for the 2025 class was launched at the beginning of October."

Minister Gloden also highlighted his opinion that a modern police force is based on three pillars: sufficient personnel, modern equipment and adequate infrastructure.

The next municipality set to join the local police unit initiative is reported to be Differdange.