On this page, you will find some frequently asked questions about :
about the Committee P |
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Would it be fair to say that Committee P is 'the police's police'?
Committee P is not 'the police's police'.
While there is some truth to this pithy characterisation of Committee P sometimes used by the media, it doesn't capture all the ins and outs of what Committee P does. To give just one example of this, Committee P can't issue criminal or disciplinary sanctions and therefore doesn't have a punitive role. Instead, Committee P investigates and reports in the first instance to the Belgian Federal Parliament on the operation of the police, pointing out both areas for improvement and best policing practices. Committee P acts as an external body vis-à-vis both the executive branch and the police forces under its supervision. This sets it apart from other supervisory bodies, which are geared more towards internal oversight or inspections. Is Committee P a judicial authority?
Committee P is not a judicial authority.
Standing Committee P can't conduct judicial investigations on its own initiative, nor does it have the power to impose punitive measures, whether criminal or disciplinary. That said, the judicial authorities can call on Committee P's Investigation Department (Investigation Department P) to conduct judicial investigations in which police officers or officials with police powers are implicated. As such, Investigation Department P only reports to the judicial authorities on the conduct or content of these investigations. Who works at Committee P?
Committee P is made up of Standing Committee P, a clerk, the Administrative Department and the Investigation Department.
Committee P is headed up by Standing Committee P. Standing Committee P has five members: a chairman, a vice-chairman and three other members. Committee P is assisted by a clerk who is in charge of the Administrative Department and the Complaints Section. Committee P also includes an Investigation Department P, led by a Director-General and two Deputy Directors-General. All the members of Investigation Department P have 'Commissioner-Auditor' status. For more information, click here Who does Committee P report to?
Committee P reports directly to the Belgian Federal House of Representatives.
Which parts of the police fall within Committee P's remit?
Committee P investigates the activities of and methods used by the police and the inspection and security services.
Committee P also monitors the Coordination Unit for Threat Assessment (CUTA), a body responsible for evaluating the threat posed by terrorism and extremism, and also the support services that have the legal obligation to communicate to CUTA any information which is relevant to the performance of its tasks For more details, click click here. Are the results of Committee P's investigations publicly available?
Can I seek legal advice from Committee P?
Committee P cannot issue legal advice as this falls outside its remit.
It isn't part of Committee P's remit to act as an authority or point of reference regarding legal matters on which members of the police or the public are seeking guidance or clarification. However, it does provide clarification on some legal issues in its inspection inquiries. What should I do if I want to lodge a complaint about Committee P?
You can contact the Speaker of the Belgian Federal House of Representatives.
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about police services |
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Where can I find contact details for the police?
Click on the following link for more information: www.police.be
Can I contact Committee P about matters relating to the functioning of the police?
Committee P does not have an advisory role.
Committee P only investigates complaints made about incidents that have occurred.
Answering questions about policing issues is a very delicate/complex matter in view of the specific circumstances and complexity of any given event.
Police officers operate in a challenging environment in which careful consideration must go into every action taken or not taken.
As a result, issues brought to Committee P's attention most often require a background study or an investigation, making it virtually impossible to adopt a position or issue an opinion immediately.
From time to time, members of the police and of the public will seek clarity or some explanation about a situation in which the police acted –or failed to act – in a particular way.
It isn't part of Committee P's remit to act as an authority or point of reference for the public on how the police are operating or should operate.
However, Committee P has drafted recommendations on a wealth of issues which may provide a point of reference for your questions.
Committee P only investigates complaints made about incidents that have occurred.
Answering questions about policing issues is a very delicate/complex matter in view of the specific circumstances and complexity of any given event.
Police officers operate in a challenging environment in which careful consideration must go into every action taken or not taken.
As a result, issues brought to Committee P's attention most often require a background study or an investigation, making it virtually impossible to adopt a position or issue an opinion immediately.
From time to time, members of the police and of the public will seek clarity or some explanation about a situation in which the police acted –or failed to act – in a particular way.
It isn't part of Committee P's remit to act as an authority or point of reference for the public on how the police are operating or should operate.
However, Committee P has drafted recommendations on a wealth of issues which may provide a point of reference for your questions.
about complaint handling |
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Will the police force involved investigate the complaint itself?
Committee P itself does not investigate all the complaints it receives.
The majority of complaints are forwarded to the relevant police chief so that he/she can provide an explanation regarding the action taken and/or a detailed investigation can be carried out.
Committee P takes this approach because most complaints are about individual errors or failings, which have to be dealt with by the relevant police chief, who is therefore also best placed to investigate the complaint and act quickly to take the appropriate measures and/or disciplinary action. The complaints which Committee P passes to its own Investigation Department (Investigation Department P) for investigation mainly relate to organisational or structural errors or failings.
The majority of complaints are forwarded to the relevant police chief so that he/she can provide an explanation regarding the action taken and/or a detailed investigation can be carried out.
Committee P takes this approach because most complaints are about individual errors or failings, which have to be dealt with by the relevant police chief, who is therefore also best placed to investigate the complaint and act quickly to take the appropriate measures and/or disciplinary action. The complaints which Committee P passes to its own Investigation Department (Investigation Department P) for investigation mainly relate to organisational or structural errors or failings.
How long does it take to investigate a complaint?
There is no set time frame for investigating a complaint.
The length of time depends on a host of factors, not all of them under Committee P's control. These include the complexity of the complaint and of the subject matter, the cooperation and availability of the various parties involved in the complaint, and any other proceedings under way with other bodies.
This makes it difficult to estimate how long it will take for any given complaint to be investigated.
Committee P makes every effort to complete investigations as quickly as possible while striking a balance between the time taken to investigate the complaint and ensuring that it goes into the appropriate detail.
The length of time depends on a host of factors, not all of them under Committee P's control. These include the complexity of the complaint and of the subject matter, the cooperation and availability of the various parties involved in the complaint, and any other proceedings under way with other bodies.
This makes it difficult to estimate how long it will take for any given complaint to be investigated.
Committee P makes every effort to complete investigations as quickly as possible while striking a balance between the time taken to investigate the complaint and ensuring that it goes into the appropriate detail.
Will I be told about the outcome of my complaint and if so, when?
As a complainant, you will always receive a written response informing you of the outcome of the investigation.
This will come from either Standing Committee P itself or the relevant police force after it has examined your complaint at Committee P's request.
This will come from either Standing Committee P itself or the relevant police force after it has examined your complaint at Committee P's request.
Can I contact Committee P to appeal a road traffic offence?
Road traffic offences cannot be appealed through Committee P.
Ruling on appeals against road traffic offences doesn't fall within Committee P's remit or that of the police forces themselves. Only the respective police prosecutor's office or the relevant police court can decide on such appeals.
Specifically for traffic offences, you will find all useful information here: www.trafficfines.be.
Ruling on appeals against road traffic offences doesn't fall within Committee P's remit or that of the police forces themselves. Only the respective police prosecutor's office or the relevant police court can decide on such appeals.
Specifically for traffic offences, you will find all useful information here: www.trafficfines.be.
Can I lodge my complaint anonymously?
If you wish, you can ask Committee P not to disclose your details.
However, bear in mind that not revealing your identity could limit any investigation or make such an investigation impossible. Where appropriate, you will always be contacted before further steps are taken.
However, bear in mind that not revealing your identity could limit any investigation or make such an investigation impossible. Where appropriate, you will always be contacted before further steps are taken.
Can I also lodge a complaint orally?
Investigations are based on a written procedure.
This means that you usually won't be heard in person. However, if this is necessary for the investigation, you will be contacted by Committee P's Investigation Department or the body conducting the investigation.
For anybody who is having or would have difficulties submitting a complaint in writing, an exception can be granted in particular circumstances if agreed in advance.
This means that you usually won't be heard in person. However, if this is necessary for the investigation, you will be contacted by Committee P's Investigation Department or the body conducting the investigation.
For anybody who is having or would have difficulties submitting a complaint in writing, an exception can be granted in particular circumstances if agreed in advance.
Can I appeal to Committee P?
Yes, but only for completed investigations into complaints about the functioning of the police or of police officers, with these taking place outside the scope of judicial or disciplinary proceedings.
If you disagree with the results of an investigation, you can ask Standing Committee P for a second opinion by submitting a letter with reasons for your objections.
If you disagree with the results of an investigation, you can ask Standing Committee P for a second opinion by submitting a letter with reasons for your objections.
Is Committee P the only body with which I can lodge my complaint?
No, you can also lodge a complaint with other bodies.
You can also (and this may even be preferable) lodge a complaint with the police chief in charge of the police force that is the subject of your complaint. Many police forces have an internal monitoring service or an internal monitoring officer you can contact.
The General Inspectorate of the Federal and Local Police (AIG) is another body with which you can lodge a complaint if this relates to the integrated (local or federal) police.
For the inspection or security services, you can contact the relevant public authority to which they report.
You can also (and this may even be preferable) lodge a complaint with the police chief in charge of the police force that is the subject of your complaint. Many police forces have an internal monitoring service or an internal monitoring officer you can contact.
The General Inspectorate of the Federal and Local Police (AIG) is another body with which you can lodge a complaint if this relates to the integrated (local or federal) police.
For the inspection or security services, you can contact the relevant public authority to which they report.
What happens to my personal data?
Standing Committee P attaches great importance to the protection of personal data and citizens' privacy.
If you lodge a complaint with Committee P, you will be asked to provide your personal details. We will then keep this information in our archives, only using it to carry out our work, namely the task of handling complaints about the functioning of the police.
We store your data for no longer than is legally permitted.
To learn more about this, see 'Your privacy'.
If you lodge a complaint with Committee P, you will be asked to provide your personal details. We will then keep this information in our archives, only using it to carry out our work, namely the task of handling complaints about the functioning of the police.
We store your data for no longer than is legally permitted.
To learn more about this, see 'Your privacy'.
In which language can I lodge a complaint?
Complaints should preferably be written in one of Belgium's three national languages (Dutch, French or German).
If this isn't possible for you, we'll see if a solution can be found on a case-by-case basis.
If this isn't possible for you, we'll see if a solution can be found on a case-by-case basis.
Can I get compensation for harm caused by the police?
You cannot obtain compensation from Committee P.
In the first instance, you will need to contact the offending police force.
To determine who will ultimately pay the compensation, the following factors must be considered:
In the first instance, you will need to contact the offending police force.
To determine who will ultimately pay the compensation, the following factors must be considered:
- Did the police act inappropriately or not?
- Who caused the damage: the local or federal police?
- What was the nature of the policing task, i.e. did it involve the administrative police or the judicial police?
- To what extent is the person concerned personally affected by the police action?
What should I do if I've been the victim of a crime?
Being the victim of a crime, whether committed by a police officer or anyone else, is traumatic and you will probably have a lot of questions, such as what rights you have and what support is available for you.
On the FPS Justice website, you will find a brief overview of your rights as a victim, details of the ensuing procedure and what actions you can take. Criminal proceedings may be complex and can take different forms depending on the case.
On the FPS Justice website, you will find a brief overview of your rights as a victim, details of the ensuing procedure and what actions you can take. Criminal proceedings may be complex and can take different forms depending on the case.
Can I lodge a complaint about a criminal offence?
If you have witnessed or been the victim of a criminal offence (such as assault, theft, corruption or forgery) committed by individuals with police powers, you are advised to lodge your complaint with the relevant public prosecutor's office.
However, if for any reason you still wish to make a complaint to Committee P about a possible criminal offence, you can do this using the relevant complaint form. Committee P will then forward this complaint to the relevant judicial authority, which is the only body competent to deal with such matters.
Depending on the nature of what is alleged to have happened and the decision of the judicial authority, Committee P's Investigation Department may then be put in charge of the investigation.
However, if for any reason you still wish to make a complaint to Committee P about a possible criminal offence, you can do this using the relevant complaint form. Committee P will then forward this complaint to the relevant judicial authority, which is the only body competent to deal with such matters.
Depending on the nature of what is alleged to have happened and the decision of the judicial authority, Committee P's Investigation Department may then be put in charge of the investigation.