Interior minister orders probe into corruption risks in federal police
Minister of the Interior Bernard Quintin has announced an investigation into potential corruption risks within the federal police, following the emergence of survey results suggesting that a significant number of officers have encountered or witnessed corrupt behaviour.
Speaking on Wednesday, Quintin said: “I will never accept the image of our police force being tarnished. That is why I have instructed the federal police to launch an independent, in-depth, and scientific investigation. This investigation must be carried out as soon as possible.”
The announcement follows media reports over the weekend stating that one in three officers within the federal police had encountered or witnessed corruption. The figure originates from an internal survey conducted by the federal judicial police.
Quintin sought to clarify the findings, stressing that the headline figure required nuance. According to the federal police, around 1,200 of the more than 4,300 federal judicial police officers surveyed responded, representing a response rate of 27 per cent.
“Of this group, approximately 3 per cent indicated they had observed behaviour throughout their careers that could be considered risky," he said. "This by no means means that one in three officers has personally encountered corruption.”
Zero tolerance for corruption
Nevertheless, he noted that the findings should not be downplayed. Based on the outcome of the investigation, “appropriate measures” will be taken, “with the clear objective of striving for zero risk of corruption”.
Quintin highlighted the importance of maintaining public trust in law enforcement. “This does not mean that the fight against corruption is being abandoned; quite the opposite. (...) Citizens must be able to rely on the police anytime, anywhere.”
© PHOTO JOHN THYS / AFP
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