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POLICING BRUSSELS

NCJ Number
16392
Author(s)
W G ASHTON; F G BURGE; B W COX; N HUDSON
Date Published
1973
Length
44 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, WAS PREPARED BY THE CONSTABULARY OF TEESSIDE, ENGLAND, AS PART OF AN EFFORT TO STUDY THE OPERATION OF OTHER EUROPEAN POLICE FORCES.
Abstract
FOLLOWING A BRIEF INTRODUCTION, THE POLICE OF BELGIUM ARE DESCRIBED. THERE ARE THREE MAIN GROUPS OF POLICE IN BELGIUM: THE COMMUNAL POLICE, THE GENDARMERIE, AND THE JUDICIAL POLICE. THE CITY OF BRUSSELS IS DESCRIBED AND ITS HISTORY IS TRACED. DETAILED EXAMINATIONS OF THE THREE GROUPS OF POLICE ARE PROVIDED. THE DISCUSSION OF THE COMMUNAL POLICE INCLUDES INFORMATION ON RECRUITING, UNIFORM, PAY, STAFF APPRAISAL AND PROMOTION, REPRESENTATION, SPORTING AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, SICKNESS, TRAINING, AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. OTHER FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMUNAL POLICE INCLUDE TRAFFIC CONTROL, COMMUNICATIONS, AND MAINTENANCE OF ORDER. AN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART ACCOMPANIES THE DISCUSSION. THE GENDARMERIE ARE A PART OF THE KINGDOM'S ARMED FORCES AND THEIR ORDINARY DUTIES INCLUDE DISPERSING ARMED ASSEMBLIES, HELPING IN MAJOR ACCIDENTS AND CALAMITIES, AND ASSISTING POLICE FORCES OF OTHER NATIONS. THE BELGIAN JUDICIAL POLICE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR INVESTIGATING CRIMES AND OFFENCES, COLLATING EVIDENCE, AND BRINGING OFFENDERS BEFORE THE COURT. THE PORT OF ANTWERP AND THE ANTWERP HARBOR POLICE ARE ALSO DESCRIBED. THE CONCLUDING SECTION EXAMINES OTHER ITEMS OF LESSER INTEREST.