Lyon, January 9 – The Lyon Municipal Police officially unveiled its new fleet of vehicles on Thursday, January 8, marking a significant investment of 1.7 million euros by the city. This acquisition aims to improve the operational capabilities of the police force, ensuring quicker, more efficient, and safer interventions across the city.
Mayor Grégory Doucet Highlights Investment in Officer Safety and Efficiency
Mayor Grégory Doucet was present at the municipal police brigade in the 7th arrondissement to review the new vehicles. The updated fleet now comprises 45 vehicles, with ten recently renewed additions, including electric cars, vans, motorcycles, and electric-assisted bicycles. Mayor Doucet emphasized the necessity of this 1.7 million euro investment, made during the ecologist mandate, to “improve working conditions and the safety of police officers.” He added, “If we want a municipal police that works well in the field, it must have adequate equipment, hence the importance of investing regularly.”
Tailored Vehicles for Diverse Urban Environments
Each vehicle has been carefully selected to suit specific operational needs. Motorcycles are primarily designated for road safety operations, while bicycles facilitate rapid response in local proximity operations. The objective is to guarantee swift, straightforward, and secure interventions for municipal police officers. “We are in a city with road networks that can be constrained, narrow, or congested by traffic, so it is essential to choose the right vehicle. This requires a fairly wide range of vehicles to intervene in all situations,” explained the ecologist elected official.
Enhanced Mobility with New Motorcycles and Electric Vans
Among the new additions are an electric van, two cars, and brand-new motorcycles. The head of the motorcycle unit noted, “The new motorcycles are much more adapted to our needs in terms of autonomy, power, and maneuverability; for example, they allow us to go onto sidewalks if necessary.”
The Growing Role of Bicycles in Police Operations
Bicycles are increasingly utilized for large-scale missions, and their fleet has also been renewed. The 19 officers of the cycling unit now have four electric bicycles and new mechanical two-wheelers without derailleurs. The head of the cycling unit explained, “The derailleur is quite fragile if the bike falls; removing it avoids having to change it and saves time.” Electric bicycles, though less maneuverable and heavier, are used for operations on hills or for faster travel.
Investment Breakdown and Future Plans
The 1.7 million euro investment in vehicles for municipal police officers during the current mandate is broken down as follows:
- Motorcycles: 235,000 euros
- Bicycles: 87,000 euros
- Cars: 1.38 million euros
In total, 129 vehicles have been purchased, with 10 currently on order. The city plans to continue renewing the entire fleet, with a focus on electrifying larger vehicles. Concurrently, the ecologist official reiterated that the priority “remains to have a local municipal police with sufficient staff.” Currently, 54 officers are needed to reach the mayor’s target of 365 officers.
Community Impact and Ongoing Commitment
This strategic investment underscores Lyon’s commitment to modernizing its municipal police force, ensuring they are well-equipped to serve and protect the community. The new vehicles are expected to significantly enhance the police’s ability to respond to incidents and maintain public order, contributing to a safer and more secure urban environment for all residents.
Source: https://www.lyoncapitale.fr/actualite/nouvelles-motos-velos-supplementaires-la-police-municipale-de-lyon-dotee-de-nouveaux-equipements
