Police officers who are victims of aggravated physical violence will now be fully compensated for all the costs incurred, Interior Minister Pieter De Crem announced on Monday. This was announced following the New Year's clashes in Molenbeek, during which four police officers were injured.
De Crem reiterated that tackling violence against security and emergency services, both verbally and physically, "is a priority in his policy".
Currently, officers receive partial reimbursement for costs.
From now on, all medical and paramedic consultations, as well as pharmacy drugs, will be totally covered. This measure will also cover any prostheses and other orthopaedic devices, as well as travel and overnight expenses to the hospital, which is also valid for the partner, parents and children.
In 2017, 852 officers were victims of deliberate assault. In the first half of 2018, this figure was 400, according to the national general database of the police.
The Brussels Times
