The outgoing Belgian Government has issued a circular to local police zones emphasising the significance of local policing and the role of the neighbourhood inspector, a Thursday statement reveals.
The circular, issued by Belgium’s Interior Minister, Annelies Verlinden, and Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt, specifies that at least 15% of the annual operational capacity of each police area should ideally be devoted to local policing.
The role of the neighbourhood inspector should be organised such that 75% of their work time is dedicated to specific local tasks on the ground.
The directive also instructs the establishment of a ‘local policing’ subcommittee within the Standing Commission of the Local Police.
