In short
- OCCRP notes the IGPN recorded 341 integrity breaches in 2025, up from 234 in 2024.
- OCCRP states unauthorized queries of police databases jumped by 80 percent in 2025.
What happened
According to OCCRP, the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN) reported a 45 percent increase in corruption, influence peddling, and other integrity violations within the French National Police between 2024 and 2025, reaching a five-year high. The IGPN recorded 341 integrity breaches in 2025, compared to 234 in 2024.
The report highlighted steep increases in unauthorized database queries (up 80 percent), corruption offenses (up 33 percent), and breaches of professional secrecy (up 25 percent). The IGPN conducted 235 judicial investigations in 2025, including 88 cases of corruption, but the number of resulting disciplinary actions or convictions remains unclear.
There was a significant increase in breaches of integrity,” Hardouin said, pointing specifically to the rise in corruption and database misuse.
In numbers
- 45 percent increase in integrity violations between 2024 and 2025
- 341 integrity breaches recorded in 2025
- 80 percent increase in unauthorized queries of police databases
Named in this item
What compliance teams should check
- Review internal controls for unauthorized queries of police databases as highlighted by the IGPN report.
- Assess exposure to bribery, conflicts of interest, and embezzlement typologies referenced in the IGPN's annual assessment.
- Monitor staff for motives such as financial gain, personal relationships, and actions under 'a just cause' as categorized by the IGPN.
Why it matters
The sharp rise in integrity breaches within the French National Police, especially in corruption and unauthorized data access, signals heightened risks for AML/CFT compliance. These misconduct trends can undermine trust in law enforcement and complicate investigations into financial crime. Compliance officers must be alert to the typologies and motives identified by the IGPN, as they may indicate vulnerabilities in police cooperation, data handling, and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms.
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