Van Quickenborne: “There will be tougher penalties for violence against the police” | Interior

“We have had a constructive and good discussion with the police unions. We also took our time, more than two hours. We all realize that the Ministry of Justice and the police must be partners”, Van Quickenborne opens after the meeting.

The Minister of Justice believes that the government is already doing a lot to ensure the safety of the police, but there is always room for improvement. That is also what the unions are asking for, a complete zero tolerance for police brutality.

“We have decided to impose heavier penalties for violence against the police in the new criminal code, because we realize that we can do even more and better,” says Van Quickenborne.

A new criminal code will be voted on in the federal parliament next year. The intention is to have those heavier penalties come into force immediately. Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) acknowledges that safety is a top priority.

“With that shared commitment, we will continue to work together in the coming period. For example, in consultation with the trade unions, we are finalizing the circular letter ‘Violence against the police’. My message is clear: our police officers will not be touched,” said Verlinden.

On November 28, the police unions are organizing a day of action in response to the attack on two police officers in Schaerbeek. “By that date, the government will also come up with an action plan. That is the minimum of respect we owe,” says Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open Vld). “We have made many strides in combating police brutality in recent years, but the work is not done.”

In the new action plan – at the request of the police unions – rebellion against the police will also be included within the norms of zero tolerance. “The definition of violence against police is broad. You have violence and you have rebellion. Rebelliousness sounds less bad, but often leads to disability and hurt people. We can take additional action there and it is now up to us to make that concrete,” says De Croo.

Before the start of the consultation, the trade unions indicated that they were prepared to listen and enter into dialogue. “One must realize that there were a lot of emotions last week,” says Joery Dehaes of ACV Police. “The statements of the public prosecutor’s office, the Ministry of Justice and a number of ministers have turned that emotion of sadness into anger among the police forces throughout the country. needs to be talked about.”

“The feeling I bring with me is what I translate from the supporters,” said Carlo Medo of NSPV Police. “We feel let down by politics. Police officers must feel that they are serving society, that they are doing their job in a safe environment and that they are appreciated. That bothers me a bit.”

At the French-speaking trade union CGSP, they demanded that the circumstances of the attack be clarified. But they also see it as a result of a lack of resources.

“We are going to repeat what we expect: an investigation that determines all circumstances and sheds light on any shortcomings,” said Eddy Quaino of CGSP. “We need resources for the police and we have been complaining about that for some time. In the field of Justice, there have been divestments for years and that now shows the failure of the system, with an agent who has died.”

LOOK. A few days ago, the police unions demanded Van Quickenborne’s resignation

A dismissal of Van Quickenborne is not on the agenda, even though it was called for a few days ago. “People should speak directly to each other and not about each other in the press,” concludes De Croo.

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