Since January 2024, both zones have been working very closely together on the site, but now they are going one step further. A total of 7 municipalities are involved: Hooglede, Ingelmunster, Dentergem, Wielsbeke, Oostrozebeke, Roeselare and Izegem). Meulebeke is not included because Meulebeke merged with Tielt and has been part of the Tielt Police Zone since January 1. (hence IDOW on the map and not MIDOW).
Better services
The intention of this merger is primarily to offer services even better tailored to the approximately 145,000 residents. Of course, there are also a number of organizational economies of scale. “It is possible to respond better to incidents in the field within the same command structure, and one can provide a better and more specialized response to new trends such as cybercrime,” is what the police zones say. Strengthening the safety policy as a whole is a wish of the mayors of all municipalities involved.
Stronger together
Kris Declercq (mayor of Roeselare): “Peace” in RSL is one of our policy spearheads. I am convinced that with a modern police force, in a larger and stronger regional organization, the specific needs of the city will also be better met by police. In this regard, the operational cooperation between these two police zones has already proven that we are stronger together than apart.”
Police remain nearby
Mayor Luc Derudder, current chairman of the police college of the Midow zone, also recently spoke positively about this merger at the police council and is pleased that there is finally clarity for the organization of policing in Oostrozebeke, among others. “The will and desire are there to organize the absolute expansion of the community police, and to maintain the proximity to the urban centers and village centers. There will be no changes in terms of infrastructure: the current police stations (Hooglede, Izegem, Roeselare and Oostrozebeke) and the district posts (Oostrozebeke, Wielsbeke, Dentergem) will be retained.”
First in West Flanders
This police merger will be the first in West Flanders. As of today, there is no name for the new zone. The merger itself will take effect on January 1, 2027 at the earliest.