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Carcassonne police officers suspended after leaked racist remarks video
A scandal has erupted in Carcassonne, France, following the release of a video capturing approximately six hours of discriminatory remarks made by municipal police officers during a patrol in November 2025. The footage was inadvertently recorded by a body camera that an officer believed was switched off.
The recordings contain a range of racist, sexist, homophobic, and conspiracy-related comments. One officer, a 50-year-old former military parachutist and member of the Rassemblement National (RN) security service, is identified as the primary speaker. The remarks included racial slurs, misogynistic insults, and conspiracy theories, such as the claim that Brigitte Macron is a man.
In response, the Carcassonne public prosecutor has opened an investigation into the matter. The RN has immediately excluded the officer involved from the party and his role in their security service, condemning the remarks as “penally reprehensible.” The Mayor of Carcassonne, Christophe Barthès, has suspended all officers appearing in the video and announced reforms for the municipal police, noting that the incidents occurred prior to his election in March 2026.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has ordered an inspection of the Carcassonne municipal police by the General Inspectorate of Administration. The incident has sparked intense political debate across France, with various leaders condemning the behavior as incompatible with public service.
Entities
Brigitte Macron · Carcassonne · Carcassonne Municipal Police · Christophe Barthès · Jordan Bardella · Marine Le Pen · Midi Libre · Rassemblement National · SOS Racisme
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 22 SOURCES] The recordings contain racist, sexist, and conspiracy-related remarks. lopinion.com · www.ledauphine.com · www.lejournaltoulousain.fr · policeetrealites.com · jhm.fr · +15 more
- [● 19 SOURCES] The officer discussed the possibility of a military coup. lopinion.com · www.ledauphine.com · www.lejournaltoulousain.fr · policeetrealites.com · jhm.fr · +13 more
- [● 16 SOURCES] The officer made claims regarding Brigitte Macron being a man. lopinion.com · www.ledauphine.com · www.lejournaltoulousain.fr · policeetrealites.com · jhm.fr · +9 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The lead officer is a 50-year-old former military parachutist. lopinion.com · www.ledauphine.com · www.lejournaltoulousain.fr · www.leprogres.fr · www.jornalet.com
- [● 11 SOURCES] A body camera recorded six hours of conversation by mistake. lopinion.com · www.ledauphine.com · www.lejournaltoulousain.fr · policeetrealites.com · jhm.fr · +6 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] The public prosecutor has opened an investigation. policeetrealites.com · www.lejournaltoulousain.fr · lesinguliersete.fr · www.zinfos974.com · www.thelocal.fr · +5 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Four municipal police officers in Carcassonne have been suspended. fr.news.yahoo.com · www.correiodamanhacanada.com · www.epochtimes.fr · www.planet.fr
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Rassemblement National (RN) has excluded the officer involved. fr.news.yahoo.com · www.correiodamanhacanada.com · www.lejournaltoulousain.fr · lcp.fr