Sociologist, Institut Paris Région (France)

Virginie Malochet is a sociologist, a researcher at L’Institut Paris Région, and an associate researcher at the Centre for Sociological Research on Law and Penal Institutions (CESDIP). A specialist in municipal policing, she works on policies, facilities and subjects relating to local security in France. 

 

 

Do you have any specific hopes or predictions for the future of urban security? (What will urban security look like in 30 years? What will be the main opportunities and risks?)

 

For an approach that is more suited to security issues, allowing a more collective (and relaxed) management of problems as and when they arise for populations in all their components. 

 

 

Why do you think it is so important to involve citizens in urban security practice?

 

Because what is at stake is the democratic legitimacy of policies carried out and, when it comes to the area that brings us together today, trust in police and security services. 

However, we must beware of institutional participative facilities: this is a case of considering citizens in their diversity, which is not at all evident. This is a major issue, as there is a risk of reinforcing the effects of stigmatisation and social domination by only reaching out to a part of the public, which negatively affects minority and marginalised populations, whose voices are not always heard.