Belgian police rely on civilians for sworn officer duties: "On a slippery slope"

Belgian police forces are increasingly delegating sensitive tasks, such as writing official reports and operating drones, to civilian personnel. Legally, these duties should be performed exclusively by sworn police officers. However, in practice, civilian staff are widely entrusted with these responsibilities, raising concerns about the integrity and legality of police operations.

Civilian employees, categorized under the "cadre administratif et logistique" (CALog) framework, constitute about one-fifth of the police force's 50,000 members. They primarily fill technical, administrative, and logistical support roles, including positions like analysts, IT specialists, and mechanics. While the law permits civilians to assist in police missions, the precise boundaries of this support are not clearly defined, leading to an expansion of their duties into areas traditionally reserved for sworn officers.

This trend has prompted warnings from within the force. One official expressed concern that the situation is "on a slippery slope," suggesting a gradual erosion of police authority and a potential compromise of operational standards. The increasing reliance on civilian staff for tasks requiring police authority could have significant legal ramifications and impact the public's trust in law enforcement.