According to French law alcohol is banned while employees are at work – with the exception of “wine, beer, apple cider and pear cider”.
That has traditionally been taken to mean that a moderate amount of beer or wine is an entirely acceptable way to punctuate a French working day.
Reports suggest the relaxed attitude to alcohol even meant that cans of beer were included in packed lunches issued to riot police while out on the streets.
But images of riot police swigging beer on the sidelines of a student demonstration in late 2010 provoked a strong reaction – and prompted an even stronger reaction from police unions.
In his complaint, Mr Mangione suggested officers should be allowed to continue as before, providing the meal is not eaten in public view.
Paul Le Guennec, of Unite Police SGP-FO, a riot police union, suggested police bosses should look at their own behaviour.
“Does the fact that having a glass of wine while eating prevent any kind of worker from carrying out their job? I don’t think the chief of police drinks water when he’s having a meal,” he told the JDD newspaper.