Fact check: Have fatal police shootings in cases of “failure to comply” quintupled since 2017?

Paris – 10.07.2026: In the National Assembly, MP Éric Coquerel reiterated the claim that the number of people killed by police bullets in the context of “Refus d’obtempérer” – refusal to comply with an order to stop – had increased fivefold since 2017. His warning came in a debate on a legal presumption of the lawfulness of the use of firearms, which critics believe could lead to more shootings during operations. The claim has reignited discussions about the statistical recording of police violence and the interpretation of rules of engagement.

Publicly available research paints a nuanced picture. Media analyses and reports by human rights organizations document an increase in shootings and a rise in fatal incidents during stopping or pursuit situations since 2017. Some data analyses point to markedly higher numbers of shootings at vehicles. However, there is no official, consolidated annual series that would unambiguously confirm a fivefold increase in deaths in this specific context. Depending on the counting method chosen – only deaths related to “Refus d’obtempérer,” all shootings at vehicles, shootings during fleeing offenses, or broader categories – the results differ.

The core of the dispute lies in methodology. While some NGOs and investigative projects report relative increases, publications by state authorities often include warnings about the comparability of the data. Partially cited internal information suggests significant increases in shootings, but applying these observations to the narrowly defined set of fatal cases involving “Refus d’obtempérer” remains limited. Without consistent definitions of the context of the offense, possible inclusion of passengers or uninvolved third parties, or distinction from other types of operations, claims expressed in percentages or multipliers are open to challenge.

Legally, Article 435-1 of the Internal Security Code was amended in 2017. Its supporters see it as a clarification, while its critics see it as an expansion of the framework for the use of firearms, especially against moving vehicles. Since then, the police and the Ministry of the Interior have referred to internal reviews and training, while the justice system follows up investigations in cases of suspicion. Independent, standardized data series published annually would be necessary to reliably assess trends and base political decisions on evidence.

Assessment: There is credible evidence indicating an increase in police shootings and fatal incidents since 2017. The precise claim of a “fivefold increase” in deaths within the strict scope of “Refus d’obtempérer” cannot be verified from publicly available comparable figures to date. A serious assessment requires transparent and uniform indicators as well as regularly published statistics from the competent authorities.