In Occitania, individuals can now submit complaints directly to the gendarmerie using self-service kiosks.
In a bid to streamline the reporting process for minor offenses and reduce waiting times, the French government has introduced online complaint deposit terminals across the country. These terminals, now operational in various gendarmerie brigades, are particularly beneficial during the summer months when counters are busier due to increased tourist activity.
The terminals, which were first introduced in Muret and Saint-Orens, Haute-Garonne, in early June, are now available in five communes of the Pyrenees-Orientales, with more locations being added regularly. As of July 7, 2023, Argelès-sur-Mer, Canet-en-Roussillon, Saint-Cyprien, Le Boulou, and Saint-Laurent de la Salanque are among the latest additions.
The terminals, accessible during the opening hours of the brigades, require a FranceConnect identifier for use. With these terminals, users can report minor offenses such as thefts, burglaries, or frauds autonomously, without the need for repeated visits to the brigade for signing.
However, it's important to note that complaints for personal harm still require an interview with a gendarme. Complaints can also be filed and completed online from home on the service-public.fr website.
The online system sends the information directly to the relevant gendarmerie brigade, ensuring a seamless transition from reporting to investigation. This innovation aims to relieve counters and provide a more efficient reporting process for minor offenses.
A total of 29 self-service terminals are being tested across the region, with more expected to be added in the coming months. A first assessment of the experiment will be drawn up at the end of the summer to evaluate its effectiveness and potential for expansion.
It's worth mentioning that these online complaint deposit terminals are not related to financial transactions or disputes, as they are often misunderstood. Instead, they are a part of the legal reporting system designed to facilitate the reporting of minor offenses while maintaining the physical reception of complaints.
The online system does not replace the traditional method of reporting incidents but rather complements it, offering a more convenient and time-saving option for those reporting minor offenses. As the trial continues, it remains to be seen how this innovation will impact the reporting and investigation of minor offenses in France.
The introduction of these online complaint deposit terminals, now available in several communities including Argelès-sur-Mer and Saint-Cyprien, is a part of the legal system designed for reporting minor offenses using technology. While personal harm cases still require an interview with a gendarme, thefts, burglaries, frauds, and other similar offenses can be reported autonomously at these terminals. Despite not being related to financial transactions or disputes, these gadgets aim to streamline the reporting process and offer a more efficient, convenient solution in the field of crime and justice, as seen in the general news.
