Officials are investigating allegations that the Paris police have broken Covid-19 and curfew rules by hosting a leaving party for a colleague at which they danced the Macarena in a police station.
Videos of the event appear to have police officers and other station staff party and dance until 3am. No one wore a mask, there was little social distance and the party broke the national curfew from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am.
Police officers sing and dance the Macarena at Aubervilliers police station in the suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis. The regional police have launched an investigation.
A statement tweeted by the prefecture police to read: “A departing party was organized at the commissariat of Aubervilliers when a curfew was in force and without any respect for the measures of social detachment. An administrative investigation is underway and administrative sanctions will be taken against participants. “
The video was released by the website Loopsider, which also published a film of three French police officers who beat a music producer at his studio in Paris in November and allegedly abused it racially.
Loopsider claimed the party took place on January 22; the faces are blurred, but the film shows men and women dancing, eating and drinking in an off-duty room intended for up to six people during the Covid health crisis, Loopsider said.
The 12-hour curfew rules, which went into effect almost two weeks ago, prohibit parties or social gatherings after 6 p.m. It is not illegal to work, but anyone who lives outside the home after 6pm must carry an affidavit stating one of a limited number of permitted reasons for being away, and a letter from their employee if the reason is related with their work.
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The fine is € 135 (£ 120) for the first offense, € 200 for a second offense, up to a maximum of € 3,750 and a six-month jail term for three offenses within 30 days.
Bars, cafes and restaurants have been closed since the end of October, as well as cinemas, theaters, discos and nightclubs.
French police have been active in breaking up an increasing number of illegal parties and raves during curfews and arresting the organizers. Participants were each fined € 135, while organizers were fined several thousand euros with some facing trial.
Local police chiefs said they have requested an explanation for those attending Aubervilliers’ feast.
The Mayor of Aubervilliers, Karine Franclet, told France Bleu Radio that she was furious.
“It is irresponsible from a health point of view. We are fighting for a vaccination center, to give children school meals, with all health rules respected, so they can keep going despite the virus while things like this happen. How is that possible?”