The Belgian Council of Ministers has approved a bill that permits the merger of the six Brussels police zones, with an investment of €55 million over five years to establish the new zone.
The much-anticipated move was announced Minister of the Interior Bernard Quintin (MR) following the council meeting on Friday.
The new zone will have a unified command and operate under a comprehensive security vision for the entire metropolitan region, as determined by the 19 mayors of Brussels in cooperation with judicial authorities within the police college.
"After over 15 years of discussions, it’s finally happening: Brussels will have a single police zone. This is a historic leap forward towards greater safety and trust," stated Quintin.
"The merger offers Brussels residents the security they deserve, provides Flemish citizens with a safe workplace in the capital, and allows everyone to enjoy Brussels with confidence and peace."
Illustration picture shows vehicles of the Bruxelles Capitale Ixelles at the police station in Ixelles, Brussels. Credit: Belga / Paul Henri Verlooy
In practice, the police college will decide on the allocation of personnel. The law includes guarantees to ensure balanced representation of both large and small municipalities. Proximity is also assured: each municipality will have neighbourhood officers, accessible police stations, and tailored opening hours.
The reform is accompanied by a €55 million investment over five years to launch the new zone, with incentives for other police zones in the country that wish to merge by December 2029.
Minister Quintin is also working on reforming the so-called KUL norm to fund local police zones based on actual needs and rectify historical underfunding. Lastly, the reform plans to abolish police councils across the country, aiming for an annual saving of approximately €2 million.
