French municipal police adopt new tech and expanded powers

France's municipal police are updating their approach to public safety. Officials highlight the need to balance road safety, public‑space management and crime prevention while responding to emerging threats linked to technology and new forms of criminality. Recent legislative changes are broadening officers' powers, and police forces are investing in advanced tools such as video surveillance, drones and digital incident‑reporting platforms to improve response efficiency. These reforms aim to modernise local law‑enforcement capabilities and better protect citizens amid evolving societal challenges.