The BBC, in a story entitled [url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13168354]France riot police face beer and wine meal ban[/url], wrote:French riot police are outraged over plans to end a long-cherished tradition of drinking alcohol with their meals.
Under the terms of an interior ministry decree, riot police will no longer be allowed to wash down their lunch with a glass or two of beer or wine.
Officials were angered in 2010 when photos emerged of riot police drinking beer while policing a demonstration.
One police union has called for alcohol to be allowed if meals are taken out of the view of the public.
Articulating the sense of outrage among the rank and file, Didier Mangione, who heads one French police union, wrote to the interior ministry defending the rights of riot police to drink on duty.
Like most other workers in France, officers serving in the Compagnies Republicaines de Securite (CRS) should be entitled to "a small quarter litre of red to accompany meals on the ground", Mr Mangione wrote.
"CRS officers do not have any more or less alcohol problems than anybody else in society. They should be allowed to drink in moderation," he said.
National tradition
According to French law alcohol is banned while employees are at work - with the exception of "wine, beer, apple cider and pear cider".
Anti-alcohol
Anti-alcohol
A thread to hold information about anti-alcohol news.
