Specialised protection and security

The Federal Police is also in the frontline to protect both Belgian nationals and foreign visitors in need of close protection. Thus, the Federal Police contributes to maintaining law and order and security during European and international summits, especially in Brussels and consequently in partnership with the Local Police (Brussels CAPITAL Ixelles unit). Several Federal Police directorates are involved in this.

In addition, the Federal Police is in charge of police missions assigned by courts and tribunals, the transfer of (dangerous) prisoners and escorts of certain money or valuables transports.

The 2023 figures speak volumes:

  • 32,477 transfers for the judicial authorities (of a diverse nature: national, medical, minors, courthouses, cross-border)
  • 3,464 VIP missions
  • 250 transfers of dangerous prisoners (GOTTS).
  • 647 escorts of money or valuables transports (incl. for the National Bank)

In 2023, the Federal Police also provided a large number of escorts for Heads of State and Government and other VIPs:

  • 293 escorts during EU, NATO and other summits
Gespecialiseerde bescherming en beveiliging - Protection spécialisée et sécurisation

The year 2023 was further marked by the assize court trial of the Brussels terrorist attacks of March 2016. To help manage this mega-trial at the Justitia courthouse, more than 105 Federal Police staff members were mobilized for each court day, including for the transfer of the (dangerous) prisoners and the security of the building in cooperation with the Local Police (Brussels CAPITAL Ixelles unit), which was in charge of the event.

For this exceptional trial, the Directorate of Public Security (DAS), together with the Directorate of Special Units (DSU), set up a special system to counter any malicious use of drones.