Information and intelligence

Information is the core business of the police force. A smooth and efficient information management is essential for fighting crime and ensuring public security. 

Over 1,500 members of the Federal Police engage in information and intelligence-related missions for the Integrated Police on a daily basis. 

 

 

Emergency calls

The district level plays a key role in the management of operational information through the District Information and Communication Services (SICADs). Each SICAD combines a provincial information and communication centre (CIC), which receives and process calls received through the emergency numbers 101 or 112, and a District Information Hub (CIA/AIK). 

  • Number of calls received on the emergency hotlines: 3,011,977

In 2023, the dispatcher training (CIC) was split up into two modules: call-taking and dispatching. The new system allows for a quicker integration of new recruits. 

Emergency calls

The training was also updated and participants now have access to PowerApps for practising and to self-assessment tools via Forms. Last year, the emergency call centre facilities in Liège, Antwerp, Limbourg, East Flanders and West Flanders were renovated and notably welcomed new desks that were more in line with current ergonomics needs and expectations.

 

 

International information exchange

The Single Point of Operational Contact (SPOC) of the Federal Police serves as the hub for international police information exchange in Belgium. 

The SPOC processes all messages from and to police authorities abroad, be it for investigation and/or for public order or security purposes. It also processes all international alerts: alerts for persons wanted by Belgian or foreign police authorities, alerts for missing persons or stolen objects, or requests to foreign colleagues to check or locate a given person. All these messages transit through secured communication channels, such as the Schengen Information System (SIS), Europol SIENA and INTERPOL’s 24/7 application.

  • In 2023, the SPOC processed 573,000 messages from or to Belgian police authorities.

 

 

Non-urgent offence reports via Police-on-web

The number of non-urgent offence reports filed via Police-on-web is growing. Police-on-web allows for a quicker and easier reporting of certain offences, such as bicycle thefts, shoplifting, frauds, vandalism, graffiti, etc. The 2021 Security Monitor showed that victims were still too reluctant to report such offences. It is therefore important to promote the use of Police-on-web for the filing of non-urgent offence reports and to develop new accessible solutions which offer more possibilities to the citizens.

  • In 2023, 84,200 offence reports were filed via Police-on-web, i.e. 230 reports a day
  • This figure constitutes a fourfold increase compared to 2019 (21,989) and a 23% increase compared to 2022 (68,107). 
Non-urgent offence reports via Police-on-web

 

Screening: security above all

Any person in a sensitive work environment must submit to a security check referred to as ‘screening’. The result of this process should very often be regarded as a guidance for the requesting party rather than a final decision.

In 2023, the CG/Screening-Clearance unit of the Federal Police crossed the 100,000-screening threshold for the first time. One third of the requests came from Defence (military applicants, external service providers, etc.), another third from airports and the last third from other players such as nuclear power stations and European summit service providers. In addition to this screening service offered to  third parties, the CG/Screening-Clearance unit of the Federal Police is also responsible for the screening of candidates (operational and civilian police staff) who apply for jobs at the Belgian Police (about 10,000 per year). 

Since 31 December 2023, the unit has also been responsible for the security checks previously managed by the National Security Authority (ANS/NVO).

Number of screenings performed in 2023: 109,302

 

 

Enhanced digital links with the judicial authorities: Cross Border Exchange

Cross Border Exchange (CBE) is a module integrated in police applications used for the immediate collection of fines for traffic offences. The Integrated Police uses CBE to record offences and draft police reports on Belgian and European citizens, before electronically referring the information to the judicial authorities. The latter subsequently print and send the notices to offenders and follow up on the payments.

In 2020, the Federal Police improved the immediate collection system for road traffic fines in cooperation with the judicial authorities by increasing the number of cameras and average speed cameras and by rolling out digital signing and stamping (MultiFactor Authentication).

  • In 2023, the number of immediate collection reports sent to the Belgian judicial authorities registered a significant increase (17.67%), reaching 6,902,374 files compared to 6,028,860 in 2022.