Quintin is well aware of the political minefield, and says it’s all the more reason to act quickly: He plans to send his proposal to parliament by Belgium’s national day, July 21, and merge the police forces in 2027.
Brussels is the only large Belgian city to have several police forces, and the minister says that “anomaly” needs correcting. “The coordination issue, which arises every time something happens in Brussels, wouldn’t come up anymore.”
In an apparent nod to the concerns of mayors, the minister has underlined the need for the police to remain embedded in Brussels’ various communes. He is also reviewing the financing of police zones and has proposed to transfer some of their debt to the federal level.
“Consultation is in my DNA,” Quintin said. “After my career, it would be a shame if nothing had stuck.”
Educate, explain, prevent — and punish
Drug trafficking must be fought throughout the value chain, the minister added, from the people who produce and traffic the drugs, often from well beyond Belgium’s borders, to the sellers and users.
“I’m exaggerating, of course, but currently we’re almost in a situation where a guy comes in, unfolds his little chair, and sets up his little table and his parasol,” he said.
