Federal Police (Belgium)
Encyclopedia
The Federal Police carry out specialized police and investigation missions that cover more than one region in Belgium. The federal police have approximately 12,500 personnel that provide support units for the local police and the federal police itself.
The Commissioner General is in charge of three operational divisions: the Administrative Police, the Criminal Investigation Department and Operational Support Unit. His office also maintains control over the CGSU special units
(SWAT
and covert surveillance teams) and the national criminfo database. It is responsible for contacts with the local police, integrated police operations, coordination and external communication. The International Police Cooperation Division (CGI) is Belgium’s national central bureau for the European Police Office (Europol
), Schengen Information System
and International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol
).
The Telematics Department is developing the ASTRID digital radio network that the police and all emergency and security services (fire departments, customs, etc.) will use in due course.
The Training Department (DSE) is responsible for all the training programs for the complete Belgian police. It analyses training needs and drafts a global training plan for the integrated police. As a think-thank, the training department provides advice regarding the training of the involved agencies. Specific educational tools are regularly developed by the department, either upon request or at its own initiative. The DSE ensures the proper application of the various training programs by means of managerial contracts with police academies and by approving training programs. Thus it ensures the conformity of training quality and guarantees financial equity between police academies. It represents Belgium on the governing board of the European Police College
(CEPOL) and pilots cross-border police training projects with France
, the Netherlands and Luxembourg
.
fall directly under the DSE. The Interior Ministry owns the federal police and national school for senior officers, and the Justice Ministry runs the national investigation school.
Every province in the country except Walloon Brabant
has a police training institution. These academies are either non-profit organisations or provincial or interregional institutions. There are a total of ten (in Bruges
, Ghent
, Antwerp, Genk
, Asse
, Liege, Arlon, Namur
, Jurbise
and one for the Brussels
region which is bilingual). A managerial contract between the Interior Minister and the school’s management is concluded annually. Even though these schools are not directly part of the police structure, they play an essential role in police training.
semi-automatic
pistol
. Other semi-automatic pistols used by the Federal Police included Glock
models.
On March, 2011, it was revealed that both the Browning GP 35 and the Glock models would be replaced by the 9x19mm Parabellum Smith & Wesson M&P
semi-automatic pistol due to safety
concerns, especially when comparing the recently designed M&P with the much more older GP 35. The American-designed pistol was also found to adapt better to the specifications than the other five competitors, and its cost wouldn't be significantly higher than that of the GP 35.
The replacement was decided in December 2010, and 3,000 M&Ps out of a total of 8,000 were delivered in September, 2011. The M&Ps will be used to equip all of the Belgian Federal Police officers.
The Commissioner General is in charge of three operational divisions: the Administrative Police, the Criminal Investigation Department and Operational Support Unit. His office also maintains control over the CGSU special units
Federal Police Special Units
The Directorate of Special Units is the Belgian Federal Police's Counter-Terrorism unit. The DSU is deployed in cases of terrorism, kidnappings, hostage taking and other forms of serious crime. In major terrorist operations outside the country, the DSU would be replaced by the Belgian Army Special...
(SWAT
SWAT
A SWAT team is an elite tactical unit in various national law enforcement departments. They are trained to perform high-risk operations that fall outside of the abilities of regular officers...
and covert surveillance teams) and the national criminfo database. It is responsible for contacts with the local police, integrated police operations, coordination and external communication. The International Police Cooperation Division (CGI) is Belgium’s national central bureau for the European Police Office (Europol
Europol
Europol is the European Union's criminal intelligence agency. It became fully operational on 1 July 1999....
), Schengen Information System
Schengen Information System
The Schengen Information System , is a governmental database used by European countries to maintain and distribute information on individuals and pieces of property of interest. The intended uses of this system are for national security, border control and law enforcement purposes...
and International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol
Interpol
Interpol, whose full name is the International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL, is an organization facilitating international police cooperation...
).
Administrative Police
The administrative police has five operational missions which are protection, general reserve, transport, canine support and air support.- The Protection Detachments are responsible for protecting the Belgian Royal Family, their palaces and SHAPESupreme Headquarters Allied Powers EuropeSupreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe is the central command of NATO military forces. It is located at Casteau, north of the Belgian city of Mons...
headquarters which is located at CasteauCasteauCasteau is a village of Belgium in the French-speaking region. With the others villages Chaussée-Notre-Dame-Louvignies, Horrues, Naast, Neufvilles, Soignies , and Thieusies, they compose the municipality of Soignies....
north of the Belgian city of MonsMonsMons is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut, of which it is the capital. The Mons municipality includes the old communes of Cuesmes, Flénu, Ghlin, Hyon, Nimy, Obourg, Baudour , Jemappes, Ciply, Harmignies, Harveng, Havré, Maisières, Mesvin, Nouvelles,...
. - The General Reserve provides support to local police services by giving them personnel and specialized equipment for the maintenance of law and order. For example, it has a permanent riot police detachment available and can provide water cannon or mounted units for local law enforcement when needed. It is also responsible for close protection missions, money transport escorts and guarding Belgian embassies abroad. The General Reserve also provides for the Belgian Royal Mounted Escort.
- The DAC polices the Belgium’s transportation networks. The highway policeHighway patrolA highway patrol is either a police unit created primarily for the purpose of overseeing and enforcing traffic safety compliance on roads and highways, or a detail within an existing local or regional police agency that is primarily concerned with such duties.Duties of highway patrols or traffic...
has approx. 1000 officers who monitor traffic on the major highways. The river policeWater policeWater police, also called harbour patrols, port police, marine/maritime police, nautical patrols, bay constables or river police, are police officers, usually a department of a larger police organisation, who patrol in water craft...
regulates ship navigation on inland waterways and on the North SeaNorth SeaIn the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
. The railway policeRailroad policeRailroad police are different from one country to another. Their roles in some countries are not different from that of any other police agency in others they are more related to a type of security police. They are all commonly responsible for the protection of railroad vast networks of...
is divided into five regions and its 470 officers patrol the railways and stations to prevent crime and damage to rail property. The airport police maintains security at Brussels International Airport and at five regional airports. Finally, the immigration and border protection police is responsible for manning border crossing points and controlling immigration. - The Aviation Support Group offers specialized support to the police such as event management (traffic jams, plane crashes, crowds, sporting events, etc.). The group’s five helicoptersPolice helicopterA police aircraft is an airplane, helicopter, powered paraglider, or blimpused in police operations. They are commonly used for traffic control, ground support, search and rescue, high-speed car pursuits, observation, air patrol and riot control...
and two planes also search for missing people, suspects, clandestine laboratories, etc. The protection of VIPs and the transport of funds is also part of the mission. - The Canine Support Group has 35 dog teamsPolice dogA police dog, often referred to as a "K-9 dog" in some areas , is a dog that is trained specifically to assist police and other law-enforcement personnel in their work...
. Some dogs are trained to detect drugs, human remains, hormones or fire accelerants. About a third are tracker dogs trained to find or identify living people. These teams are often deployed to earthquake areas to locate people trapped in collapsed buildings. The federal police’s explosive detector dogs are attached to the CGSU special unitsFederal Police Special UnitsThe Directorate of Special Units is the Belgian Federal Police's Counter-Terrorism unit. The DSU is deployed in cases of terrorism, kidnappings, hostage taking and other forms of serious crime. In major terrorist operations outside the country, the DSU would be replaced by the Belgian Army Special...
.
Criminal Investigation Department
The Federal Criminal Investigation Department is a large organisation that operates at both the central and local levels from its headquarters in Brussels.Central bureaus
The FGP/PJF's seven central bureaus coordinate serious crime investigations at the national and international level:- The Operations and Information Division (DJO) manages the use and payment of police informants. It also coordinates and supports the operations of the decentralised investigation bureaux. The DJO also manages the national center for police information management and criminal analysis. Moreover, the operations section assists in the deployment of special units.
- The Personal Crime Division (DJP) specialises in cases involving human traffickingHuman traffickingHuman trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings for the purposes of reproductive slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor, or a modern-day form of slavery...
, violence against people, missing persons, terrorismTerrorismTerrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
, sects and drugs. - The Property Crime Division (DJB) specialises in cases involving armed robberies, stolen vehicles, arms smuggling, organized gangs of thieves, art and antiquities, hormones and environmental crime. It also operates the FAST (Fugitives Active Search Team) that tracks down fugitives from justice, whether they are residents of Belgium or foreigners hiding out in Belgium.
- The Economic and Financial Crime Division (DJF) fights corruption, organised economic and financial crimeFraudIn criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...
, computer crimeComputer crimeComputer crime, or cybercrime, refers to any crime that involves a computer and a network. The computer may have been used in the commission of a crime, or it may be the target. Netcrime refers to criminal exploitation of the Internet. Such crimes may threaten a nation’s security and financial health...
(Federal Computer Crime Unit - FCCU) and forgeryForgeryForgery is the process of making, adapting, or imitating objects, statistics, or documents with the intent to deceive. Copies, studio replicas, and reproductions are not considered forgeries, though they may later become forgeries through knowing and willful misrepresentations. Forging money or...
. - The Organised Crime Division (DJC) combats organised crime at the strategic level as well as the operational and tactical levels. Its purview currently includes mafiaMafiaThe Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering...
, Asian, Balkan, Russian and Hells AngelsHells AngelsThe Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is a worldwide one-percenter motorcycle gang and organized crime syndicate whose members typically ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In the United States and Canada, the Hells Angels are incorporated as the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation. Their primary motto...
crime gangs. The DJC also operates the Belgian witness protection program. - The Forensic Science Division (DJT) operates the fingerprintFingerprintA fingerprint in its narrow sense is an impression left by the friction ridges of a human finger. In a wider use of the term, fingerprints are the traces of an impression from the friction ridges of any part of a human hand. A print from the foot can also leave an impression of friction ridges...
identification system and maintains laboratories for forensic and scientific work, audio and video analysis, and research and development. Other sections concentrate on profiling, special interrogation techniques and polygraphs. - The Military Crime Division (DJMM) specializes in investigations involving the armed forces. It operates both on Belgian territory and at Belgian bases abroad. The activities of the DJMM are multi-faceted but are mainly of a financial nature involving corruption, fraud, embezzlement and forgery.
Decentralised investigation bureaus
Eighty-five percent of the PJF/FGP’s personnel is assigned to 27 decentralised investigation bureaux. Manpower at each district varies: small bureaux can have as few as 40 personnel whereas the large ones can exceed 200. The organisation and management of these units are entrusted to the "chief of investigations (gerechtelijk directeur / directeur judiciaire). Each decentralised bureau is made up of several sections directed towards the region’s main criminal phenomena and executes specific support or criminal investigation missions. Although organisation differs from one district to another, sections dealing with drugs, people smuggling, financial and organized crime, vehicle theft rings are the most common. In addition, the PJF/FGP provides support services for the federal and local police, such as computer crime units, technical and forensic support, criminal information, operational criminal analysis and coordination with the administrative police.Criminal Information Centre
Each investigative district has a criminal information centre manned by federal and local police officers to facilitate the coordination of investigations. Each centre processes the criminal data from the local and federal police forces to analyze recent cases and events, thus identifying trends and issuing any necessary warnings. It also correlates the connections between cases, people, vehicles, etc. and sorts information for operational and strategic purposes. Each AIK/CIA contributes to the cross-border exchange of police data and supports the managers of the police zones with data processing capabilities. Each chief of investigations has overall responsibility for an AIK/CIA but a department chief ensures the daily management of the centre.Support and Administration
The Support and Administration Department performs the administrative, resource management, logistics and recruitment support for all federal police units. The department also provides the local and federal police with equipment, support and training.The Telematics Department is developing the ASTRID digital radio network that the police and all emergency and security services (fire departments, customs, etc.) will use in due course.
The Training Department (DSE) is responsible for all the training programs for the complete Belgian police. It analyses training needs and drafts a global training plan for the integrated police. As a think-thank, the training department provides advice regarding the training of the involved agencies. Specific educational tools are regularly developed by the department, either upon request or at its own initiative. The DSE ensures the proper application of the various training programs by means of managerial contracts with police academies and by approving training programs. Thus it ensures the conformity of training quality and guarantees financial equity between police academies. It represents Belgium on the governing board of the European Police College
European Police College
CEPOL - European Police College was established as an agency of the European Union in 2005 . CEPOL brings together senior police officers across Europe with the aim to encourage cross-border cooperation in the fight against crime, maintenance of public security and law and order...
(CEPOL) and pilots cross-border police training projects with France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, the Netherlands and Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
.
Police Academies
Belgium’s police academies provide all the basic, specialised, revision and advanced courses for all the members of the integrated police, whether from the federal or local police. There are two types of school: ministry schools and approved police academies. The three ministry schools in BrusselsBrussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
fall directly under the DSE. The Interior Ministry owns the federal police and national school for senior officers, and the Justice Ministry runs the national investigation school.
- The Federal Police School is responsible for specialised and refresher training. It also supports the approved schools by managing the students and providing instructors.
- The National School for Senior Officers provides career training for senior officers, as well as certain special and professional development courses.
- The National Investigation School trains new detectives, as well as middle and senior-level investigation officers. This school is also responsible for the professional development training of criminal investigation units, both local and federal.
Every province in the country except Walloon Brabant
Walloon Brabant
Walloon Brabant is a province of Wallonia in Belgium. It borders on the province of Flemish Brabant and the provinces of Liège, Namur and Hainaut . Its capital is Wavre...
has a police training institution. These academies are either non-profit organisations or provincial or interregional institutions. There are a total of ten (in Bruges
Bruges
Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country....
, Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
, Antwerp, Genk
Genk
Genk is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg near Hasselt. The municipality only comprises the city of Genk itself...
, Asse
Asse
Asse is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the towns of Asse proper, Bekkerzeel, Kobbegem, Mollem, Relegem and Zellik. On January 1, 2006 Asse had a total population of 29,191...
, Liege, Arlon, Namur
Namur (city)
Namur is a city and municipality in Wallonia, in southern Belgium. It is both the capital of the province of Namur and of Wallonia....
, Jurbise
Jurbise
Jurbise is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. On 1 January 2006 the municipality had 9,571 inhabitants. The total area is 57.86 km², giving a population density of 165 inhabitants per km²....
and one for the Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
region which is bilingual). A managerial contract between the Interior Minister and the school’s management is concluded annually. Even though these schools are not directly part of the police structure, they play an essential role in police training.
Weapons
Until September, 2011, nine out of ten Belgian Federal Police officers were equipped with the 9x19mm Parabellum Browning GP 35Browning Hi-Power
The Browning Hi-Power is a single-action, 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. It is based on a design by American firearms inventor John Browning, and completed by Dieudonné Saive at Fabrique Nationale of Herstal, Belgium. Browning died in 1926, several years before the design was finalized...
semi-automatic
Semi-automatic firearm
A semi-automatic, or self-loading firearm is a weapon which performs all steps necessary to prepare the weapon to fire again after firing—assuming cartridges remain in the weapon's feed device or magazine...
pistol
Pistol
When distinguished as a subset of handguns, a pistol is a handgun with a chamber that is integral with the barrel, as opposed to a revolver, wherein the chamber is separate from the barrel as a revolving cylinder. Typically, pistols have an effective range of about 100 feet.-History:The pistol...
. Other semi-automatic pistols used by the Federal Police included Glock
Glock
Glock Ges.m.b.H. is a weapons manufacturer headquartered in Deutsch-Wagram, Austria, named after its founder, Gaston Glock...
models.
On March, 2011, it was revealed that both the Browning GP 35 and the Glock models would be replaced by the 9x19mm Parabellum Smith & Wesson M&P
Smith & Wesson M&P
The Smith & Wesson Model 10, previously known as the Smith & Wesson Military & Police or the Smith & Wesson Victory Model, is a .38-caliber revolver developed from the Smith & Wesson .38 Hand Ejector Model of 1889. In production since 1899, it is a fixed-sight, six-shot handgun with a fluted...
semi-automatic pistol due to safety
Safety (firearms)
In firearms, a safety or safety catch is a mechanism used to help prevent the accidental discharge of a firearm, helping to ensure safer handling....
concerns, especially when comparing the recently designed M&P with the much more older GP 35. The American-designed pistol was also found to adapt better to the specifications than the other five competitors, and its cost wouldn't be significantly higher than that of the GP 35.
The replacement was decided in December 2010, and 3,000 M&Ps out of a total of 8,000 were delivered in September, 2011. The M&Ps will be used to equip all of the Belgian Federal Police officers.