Chief Commissioner of the federal police Catherine De Bolle, who is preparing to head Europol, said in an interview with Suppress on Saturday that "there are not enough women in the federal police, especially at the highest levels.” She notes that there are 20 female divisional commissioners out of a total of 217, or 9% of women at this highest rank. "It's better than 2012 (3%) but it's not enough, women really have to search for these opportunities”, she says. "I'm surprised how much they doubt their abilities: 'will I get there, am I up to it,' etc. Men do not question themselves as much when they apply."
Addressing the issue of police matters in general, she believes that there are enough officers in the federal police. She says, “The priority is to invest in technology and new research techniques, it is not by putting more blue in the street that we are going to save lives. The local police must be on the ground, and the federal police need specialists who can support the local forces.
De Bolle is the designated executive director of Europol based in The Hague, succeeding Rob Wainwright, once his term expires on 1 May 2018.
The Brussels Times
