Concerns have been raised over the integrity of law enforcement in Belgium after police bosses called for regular screening of its 50,000 officers over fears criminal and terrorist organisations may be infiltrating the force.
In a memorandum addressed to government negotiators, Inspector-General Thierry Gillis urged greater vigilance in the ongoing fight against corruption and internal threats.
The memo, reported by De Standaard and Het Nieuwsblad, warns of the potential for terrorists to compromise the ranks of the police and intelligence services.
“Criminals and even terrorist organisations are now trying to threaten our civil society from within,” Gillis stated. “And it cannot be ruled out that these organisations are also infiltrating our police and intelligence services.
“At present, preventive checks are only carried out as part of the recruitment procedure. However, it should be possible for police staff to be screened throughout their career, particularly those in key positions.”
The proposal suggests conducting preventive screenings when an officer is promoted or transferred to high-risk departments, such as anti-terrorism units or those combating drug trafficking and corruption.
The call for heightened scrutiny of the police force comes as part of broader efforts to strengthen the integrity of law enforcement in the country.
Gillis’ recommendations are seen as a proactive step to ensure that the nation’s security is not undermined from within.
However, the proposal has met with some opposition. Vincent Houssin, a representative of the VSOA police union, voiced strong objections to the idea of regular screenings, calling the measures “unacceptable”.
Houssin expressed concerns over how such checks might impact the privacy and trust of police personnel.
Despite the pushback, the inspectorate remains firm on the need for increased vigilance. The memorandum highlights that as threats evolve, so too must the security protocols that protect public institutions.
Gillis urged the negotiators involved in forming the next federal government to prioritize police integrity in their discussions.
The debate over implementing such measures will likely continue as authorities seek to balance officer autonomy with the need to safeguard national security from internal corruption and infiltration.
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