A three-year experimental authorization allows a portion of SNCF and RATP safety agents to carry non-lethal electric stun pistols (Tasers) to manage violent incidents in public transport, with initial deployment covering about 300 to 400 officers (roughly 10% of the railway police).

The move is intended to provide a proportional, non-lethal option to increase security, reduce firearm use, and limit harm to bystanders and officers, per a decree from the ministries of interior and transport.

SNCF and RATP security forces currently carry lethal weapons, and the new measure will proceed under detailed procedures and mandatory training before deployment.

Authorization requires mandatory and ongoing training, with continued eligibility tied to compliance with training requirements.

An evaluation will be conducted at the end of the experiment to assess effectiveness and safety, as announced by the Ministry of Transport and officials.

Implementation includes an order detailing procedures, required training for officers, and an evaluation after rollout.

The three-year authorization begins from the decree’s effective date and will be accompanied by prior training and detailed procedures, followed by an assessment at the trial’s end.

Porting of the Taser is on an individual authorization basis within the three-year experimental period, starting from the decree’s effective date and subject to evaluation.

The authorization follows a broader political and legal process, requiring individual permissions for each agent and an evaluation after the three-year trial.

The decree frames the experimental process under transport code provisions and will include ministerial decrees specifying the maximum number of authorized agents, training content, and deployment rules in high-risk environments.

The decision reflects a noted decline in transport-related crime but acknowledges ongoing incidents, framing the measure as a proportionate response.

The decree authorizing the weapon use was published in France’s official journal on February 19, 2026, and is described as a proportional response to violence in transport intended to protect both officers and the public.