School police officer Céline lowers barriers between police and young people in Balen and Mol: “They contact us faster”

For many young people, contacting the police used to feel like a step too far. In Mol and Balen, inspector Céline is now working to make that step easier.

Since the start of the school year, she has served as the school police officer for the Balen-Dessel-Mol police zone. Her role resembles that of a neighborhood officer, but focuses specifically on secondary-school students. She regularly appears at schools, around school grounds and near the station, helping students recognize her as a familiar point of contact.

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Thanks to the appointment of a school police officer, the Balen-Dessel-Mol police zone can lower the barrier between the police and young people.

“Thanks to the appointment of a school police officer, the Balen-Dessel-Mol police zone can lower the barrier between the police and young people,” said Niels Belmans, chief inspector with the zone’s neighborhood support team. “Young people find their way to the police faster.”

Céline is available in person, by telephone and email, as well as through Facebook and Instagram. Belmans said social media fits closely with young people’s everyday lives and makes her more approachable. Students and schools can raise concerns about bullying, nuisance, truancy, drugs, cyber safety, online risks and unwanted behavior. Some seek only a listening ear, while others bring serious problems or conflicts requiring a quick response.

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Young people find their way to the police faster.

The school officer also has a preventive role. She gives classroom sessions on cyber safety, drugs, sexting and truancy, working with schools, administrators and the prosecutor’s office. School directors and parents can also ask for help, while Céline coordinates with other police services and outside partners.

Other police zones in the region, including Geel-Laakdal-Meerhout, Regio Turnhout and Noord-Limburg, have similar officers. Belmans said they exchange information to identify problems that move from one police zone to another more quickly.

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Céline is therefore easily accessible. Social media such as Facebook and Instagram, where she can also be reached, play a major role. It is closely aligned with young people’s everyday lives.