Article D14 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure
The judicial police officers listed in Article 20 have jurisdiction to record all crimes, offences or contraventions and to draw up a report. In addition, they may carry out preliminary investigations either on their own initiative or on the instructions of the public prosecutor or their hierarchical superiors. In the context of proceedings for a flagrant crime or misdemeanour, they are authorised to interview persons likely to provide information on…