Black policemen in 19th century France?

by TheWouldBeMerchant

https://cdn-images-express-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/ii/w1200/s/cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/20/590x/Les-Miserables-on-BBC-javert-david-oyelowo-1066823.jpg

I've recently been watching the BBC TV adaption of Les Miserables and the infamous Inspecteur Javert is played brilliantly by David Oyelowo.

I know that France historically integrated its former slaves into French society, and was quite progressive in doing so, but it hadn't occurred to me that a black Frenchman could be a police inspector in 19th century Paris.

Could this have plausibly been the case? Or has the BBC taken an artistic liberty?

Please note that I'm not trying to cause offense - I'm genuinely curious.

Searocksandtrees

Hi, yes it was possible. Here are some earlier answers - The BBC has cast a black actor to play Javert in their new adaptation of Les Misèrables. Is this unrealistic? - but there's lots of room left for anyone with more info on this subject.