The authors distinguish between two concurrent applications of the concept of "proximity." This is a concept of "community" claimed by the basque and catalan autonomous police forces and an approach in terms of "proximity" developed by the state police force. Beyond this apparently technical distinction, each party is staking a claim to be responsible for its own territory. This article analyzes the Policia 2000 reform as an attempt by the "center" to control the "periphery." It is also an opportunity to observe a severance with traditional police cultures and an experimentation with new management techniques. 24 references