A leading Belgian police trade union has expressed concerns about the Belgian Government’s plan to strengthen border controls.
SNPS President Carlo Medo questioned how these controls will be conducted and warned they could impact other police duties.
Interior Minister Bernard Quintin and Asylum and Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt announced that enhanced border checks would focus on major roads, bus and train routes connecting to neighbouring countries. It would also include some flights arriving from within the Schengen Zone.
The initiative aims to tackle "irregular and secondary migration" and will involve collaboration between federal and local police as well as the Immigration Office.
Medo mentioned that the police force had not been informed of these new measures and expressed dissatisfaction at learning about them through the media.
He raised concerns about whether police officers would be properly equipped for these duties and what the implications would be for their welfare and existing responsibilities.
While Medo acknowledged the merit of the initiative, he called for further clarification during an upcoming consultation committee meeting, for which a request has already been submitted.
