Bally Bagayoko, the mayor of Saint-Denis (LFI), said on Sunday that municipal police in his city are not equipped with water pistols [1].
The mayor's comments address circulating rumors regarding the armament and effectiveness of local law enforcement in the Seine-Saint-Denis department. This clarification comes as Bagayoko seeks to define his security policy following the first round of mayoral elections held on March 15, 2026 [3].
During an interview with BFMTV on May 17, Bagayoko said the means and armament of police in France [1]. He previously addressed similar misinformation in an April 15 interview with Le Parisien, where he sought to correct the narrative regarding the tools available to his officers [2].
"Ne faisons pas croire que la police municipale a des pistolets à eau," Bagayoko said to Le Parisien [2].
The mayor's defense of the force follows scrutiny of police staffing and stability within the municipality. Bagayoko said that only two officers out of a total of 135 municipal police officers have departed [2].
Bagayoko continues to present his specific security line for Saint-Denis to counter claims that the city is under-equipped or lacks a serious approach to public safety [2].
“"Ne faisons pas croire que la police municipale a des pistolets à eau."”
The mayor's focus on debunking specific rumors about 'water pistols' suggests a targeted disinformation campaign regarding the city's security apparatus. By citing low turnover rates among the 135 officers, Bagayoko is attempting to project stability and professionalism in the municipal force to maintain public confidence in the LFI-led administration's ability to manage urban safety.
