The study observed the operations of urban police officers, state police, criminal investigators, public prosecutors, and police administrators in three major French administrative districts. Interviews with security agents concerning such issues as daily activities, professional relationships, interagency cooperation, and overall role in the community were also conducted. The results indicate that the maintenance of a narrowly defined public order clearly takes precedence over safety concerns. Furthermore, the autonomous, hierarchically structured agencies strive to promote their own importance and rarely interact unless the public prosecutor or the chief of police specifically orders such cooperation. Last, the agencies respond to security concerns mainly on an ad hoc basis without long-term security policy. In view of these defects in the French security, the study asks whether an alternative system which focuses only on public security (without concern for public order) should be established.