Belgium Police Use Force Too Quickly, Oversight Body Warns

The president of Belgium’s independent police oversight committee has warned that officers sometimes resort to using force too quickly to achieve their objectives, as the body marks its 35th anniversary amid heightened debate over police conduct and accountability.

Kathleen Stinckens, president of the Comité permanent de contrôle des services de police (Comité P), made the remarks in an interview on RTBF’s “Matin Première” radio program on Friday, the eve of the oversight body’s anniversary.

“There are many rules before using force. And sometimes, we note that police officers use it too quickly to achieve their end,” Stinckens said, emphasizing that force should only be used when necessary, proportionate, and as a last resort.

Rising Complaints Amid Protest Wave

The warning comes as the Comité P reported a significant increase in complaints. In 2025, the committee received 2,783 admissible complaints out of 3,213 total — a 9.4% increase year-on-year. The rise is attributed primarily to the numerous large-scale demonstrations that took place in 2025, rather than a general deterioration of police behavior.

A peak in complaints was recorded in October 2025, the month of a national demonstration that gathered between 80,000 and 140,000 people. More recently, the committee received approximately fifteen complaints specifically concerning police interventions during protests against education reforms in the French-speaking Community (Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles).

The June 2026 protests saw controversial police interventions, including against minors, with images circulating on social media showing officers using tear gas, batons, and water cannons. Brussels Mayor Philippe Close announced an investigation into police behavior following the incidents.

Changing Police Profile and Communication Gaps

Stinckens noted that the profile of police officers has changed significantly, and public expectations have evolved — citizens want officers capable of dialogue, explaining their decisions, and showing empathy, rather than simply imposing authority.

The Comité P’s annual report found that in 7 out of 10 closed cases, no dysfunction was identified. However, the report noted that “the use of force often appears as an immediate consequence of an interaction that deteriorates, rather than as a response to a real threat.” Failed communication between police and citizens plays a significant role.

The committee recommended investing “as a priority in the quality of the first contact between police and citizens” and strengthening attention to respect and empathy.

Concerns Over Interactions with Minors

Stinckens stressed the importance of the “child reflex” (réflexe enfant) — police must adapt their communication and use of force to the age of the citizen. In May 2026, Interior Minister Bernard Quintin published a circular (CP6) on the “réflexe mineur” to provide practical guidance for police interactions with minors.

Solayman Laqdim, the General Delegate for Children’s Rights, was sharply critical of police handling of young protesters. “Unfortunately, the management of demonstrations in recent days, from my point of view, is a failure,” he told RTBF in June. “When we see young people who clearly do not represent a danger to public order and who are handcuffed, beaten with batons, exposed to tear gas, it is quite concerning and worrying.”

Police unions acknowledge that specific training for engaging with minors in public order maintenance does not exist, though basic training covers youth legislation.

Systemic Challenges and the Fabian Case

Stinckens declined to comment on the case of Fabian, a young person struck and killed by a police vehicle in 2025, as it remains under judicial investigation. Less than 10% of complaints received by the Comité P are forwarded to the public prosecutor’s office when they involve criminal matters.

The committee has also called for a legally mandated complaint processing procedure and a unified platform for complaint registration. The current KLFP computer system is described as “obsolete, unusable, and must be replaced,” according to reporting by La Libre and VRT NWS.

Looking Ahead

Under Stinckens’ eight-year leadership, the Comité P has expanded its competencies — it now serves as a contact point for whistleblowers and conducts preventive visits to police stations. Stinckens noted that social media and new technologies make oversight work more complex, and that artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and risks.

As the Comité P marks its 35th anniversary on July 18, the central question remains whether Stinckens’ public statements and the CP6 circular on the “child reflex” will translate into measurable changes in police training and behavior, particularly in the context of large-scale protests.