Police inspectorate calls for increased screening of officers to tackle corruption
The inspectorate of the local and federal police is calling for the 50,000 officers in its ranks to be checked more regularly, not just when they are recruited, as part of the fight against corruption, De Standaard and Het Nieuwsblad report on Tuesday.
The agency is asking the negotiators involved in forming a federal government to make integrity among police personnel a priority.
Inspector-general Thierry Gillis made the point in a memorandum addressed to all the negotiating parties. He calls for greater vigilance at a time when “criminals, and even terrorist organisations, are trying to threaten our civil society from within”.
“It cannot be ruled out that these organisations are also infiltrating our police and intelligence services,” he said.
Sensitive units
The most striking measure suggested by the inspectorate is that the 50,000 officers should be regularly screened. “To date, preventive checks are only carried out as part of the recruitment procedure,” the memo reads. “However, it should be possible for police staff to be screened throughout their career, especially those in key positions.”
The inspectorate recommends regular checks at certain stages in a career, when an officer is promoted or changes department. For example, screening should be carried out when an employee joins a sensitive department such as the anti-terrorism unit, or the departments responsible for combating drug trafficking or corruption.
© BELGA PHOTO BELGA PHOTO TONY BEHAR
Related news
