From December 2024 to early February 2025, the gendarmerie company of Mortagne-au-Perche, located in Orne, was under the spotlight as a television crew filmed their daily activities for the show Flic Story, broadcasted on RMC Découverte. This initiative aimed to provide viewers with an inside look at the life of gendarmes, particularly focusing on younger officers and women in the profession, as explained by Commandant Magdalena Mouny.
The first episode of the series premiered on March 19, 2025, showcasing a range of routine yet revealing encounters that gendarmes face in their work. For instance, the episode captured gendarmes at an intersection in Soligny-la-Trappe, conducting a standard vehicle check. During this operation, one driver, while asked why he wasn’t wearing his seatbelt, remarked, “You know well, when we see gendarmes, we put our seatbelt on.” His attempt to downplay the violation was met with skepticism, leading him to add provocatively, “You’re ruining our lives, without joking.”
In another segment, viewers witnessed a more dramatic scenario in Courgeon, where an officer pursued a speeding driver of a Golf. The driver, realizing he was being followed, attempted to flee by hiding in a resident's garden. Thankfully, he was apprehended by the gendarmes, where it was revealed that he had been driving without a license—a recurring offense. These scenarios are not only entertaining but also illustrate the often unpredictable nature of police work.
According to Commandant Mouny, the filming yielded so many exciting moments that the production team was able to sell an additional episode to the channel, bringing the total to four installments. Following the initial episode, more broadcasts are scheduled for March 26, April 2, and April 9, ensuring that viewers will receive a full exposure to the daily challenges faced by the gendarmerie.
The series aims to shed light on the realities of police work in regions like Orne, where incidents frequently arise. Among the highlighted moments was the gendarmes’ engagement with local youth riding motorcycles in the Madeleine neighborhood of L’Aigle, as well as serious interventions during domestic disputes where tensions escalated dangerously. In one unfortunate instance, footage of a GIGN intervention in Origny-le-Roux, where a farmer had shot at the responding officers, could not be captured, highlighting the nuanced and sometimes perilous engagements of the gendarmes.
“The objective of these programs is to inspire new recruits. A lot is happening in Orne, and we hope to see young people come forward to join the gendarmerie,” stated Mouny. Her hopeful message underscores the ongoing recruitment challenges police forces often face, particularly in rural areas where there may be less public visibility of their work.
As the series unfolds, it resonates with viewers who not only find the situations captivating but also recognize the importance of community safety and the dedication required to maintain it. The interplay between the gendarmes and the residents they serve adds a vital human element to the narrative being woven through each episode.
Ultimately, Flic Story serves as more than mere entertainment; it seeks to inform and perhaps reshape perceptions regarding the daily toil of law enforcement personnel, especially in smaller communities like Mortagne-au-Perche, which often go unnoticed in larger national discourses. Moreover, as viewers engage with the series, they are reminded of the critical role that gendarmes play in preserving public order and safety, hoping to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the communities they protect.
With a combination of real-life experiences and engaging storytelling, this series could very well pave the way for future discussions about the policing landscape in rural France, while encouraging viewers, particularly the younger generation, to consider a career in the gendarmerie.
