Rouen Police Officer Convicted After Striking Woman With Baton

A police officer in Rouen, France, has been sentenced to one year in prison, suspended, following a violent confrontation that left a woman injured. The incident occurred on May 30, 2026, during celebrations marking Paris Saint-Germain's victory in the Champions League. In addition to the suspended sentence, the 32-year-old officer, identified as Kévin S., faces a three-year prohibition from working in law enforcement or carrying a weapon, as well as a two-year period of ineligibility for public office.

The Rouen Criminal Court issued the ruling on November 5, 2026, opting for a stricter penalty than the six-month suspended sentence requested by the public prosecutor. The court also mandated the immediate execution of the professional ban, meaning the officer must leave his position effective immediately. The judge's decision was influenced by the officer's refusal to acknowledge wrongdoing during the trial.

The altercation took place around 1:00 a.m. near the Rue de la Champmeslé, an area where civil unrest had been reported, including burning trash and mortar fire directed at police. The victim and her nephew were in the vicinity to protect a friend's store. During the confusion, police officers mistook the nephew for a wanted individual. As Kévin S. moved to assist a colleague, he struck the woman in the face with his baton. The victim required surgery and was granted 15 days of temporary total incapacity for work.

Kaltoum Gachi, the attorney representing the victim, stated that the court's decision sent a strong message. "The tribunal wanted to send a strong signal," Gachi said, noting that the court took into account the officer's denial of the facts during the hearing. She added that the ruling has provided relief to her client and restored her faith in the justice system, calling it a "just and justified application of the penal law."

Conversely, the officer's defense attorney, Louis Calliez, condemned the verdict as an "iniquitous decision" and confirmed plans to appeal. Calliez argued that the court imposed an excessive penalty that was not requested by the prosecution, effectively ending his client's career. "We are talking about a police officer who is undergoing a cruel social execution and is being denied his right to appeal by the pronouncement of a provisional execution, thus depriving him of his vocational profession and the income necessary to compensate the civil party," Calliez stated in a press release.

The officer now has a 10-day window to file a formal appeal against the court's decision. The case has drawn significant attention in Rouen, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny of police conduct during public demonstrations and the legal consequences for officers found to have used excessive force.