France Boosts School Security Following Terror Attacks

The French government has deployed nearly 5,000 police officers to Jewish schools and religious sites following terrorist attacks in Paris that left 17 civilians dead.

French president Francois Hollande has ordered the deployment of about 15,000 security personnel to schools, train stations and cultural sites across the country after attacks in Paris left 20 dead last week.

The attacks at magazine Charlie Hebdo, on a police officer, and at a kosher supermarket left 17 civilians and three gunmen dead, but police believe the gunman at the supermarket had an accomplice, AFP reports.

RELATED: The Israeli Approach to School Security

French security services began the search for an accomplice after a video of gunman Amedy Coulibaly was posted two days after his death, declaring his allegiance to the Islamic State. The video had a banner describing the killing of four people at the grocery and the death of Coulibaly, who also shot a police officer a day prior in a Paris suburb, the Irish Times reports.

Also allegedly involved in the attacks were brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi, who killed 12 people at the offices of Charlie Hebdo and were gunned down by police at around the same time Coulibaly was shot by officers on Jan. 9. 

Due to the possibility of a remaining threat, 4,700 police officers have been deployed to 717 Jewish schools and religious sites.

Photo Wikimedia

If you appreciated this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!

Tagged with: Active Shooter

Leading in Turbulent Times: Effective Campus Public Safety Leadership for the 21st Century

This new webcast will discuss how campus public safety leaders can effectively incorporate Clery Act, Title IX, customer service, “helicopter” parents, emergency notification, town-gown relationships, brand management, Greek Life, student recruitment, faculty, and more into their roles and develop the necessary skills to successfully lead their departments. Register today to attend this free webcast!

Get Our Newsletters
Campus Safety Conference promo