What you need to know about the 127 community police officers in Antwerp: “It is their job to be visible and approachable” (Antwerp)
In response to the drug violence in Antwerp, separate political parties emphasized the importance of the local police officer. It must be a face in the neighbourhood, that knows residents and is approachable. And so there will have to be more of them than the current 127 in the city. In the meantime, the Antwerp police deny that the police officer has been there in recent years. What’s the deal? We take a closer look at the function.
Sacha Van Wiele
According to a number of parties, a local police officer plays an important role. A community police officer who knows his or her neighborhood can more quickly receive connections from where something goes wrong. In addition, it is a confidential counselor to whom residents can, for example, turn to with their questions and concerns after such an attack.
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A complaint of many Antwerp residents is that they do not know their local police officer. There are no recent figures on this. Earlier surveys for the Antwerp monitor showed that in 2010, 35.6% of Antwerp residents said they still knew their local police officer. In 2015 this was only 23.3%. To boost that figure, the city of Antwerp launched campaigns in which residents received a flyer in the letterbox with a photo and the contacts of their local police officer.
“We use it extensively in neighborhood work, so it is not true that savings have been made,” says Willem Migom of the Antwerp police. “I do understand the feeling that people have that they don’t see their local police officer. The question is, of course, how many times people should call on the police.”
How many community police officers does Antwerp have?
127. The Antwerp police zone is divided into six regions, where a total of nineteen neighborhood teams are active. The community police officers are part of the 657 people who work in the district teams.
What is the job of a district attorney?
“Community officers have a broad package,” explains Migom. “Most people see them when they move. The local police officer does the home checks and changes of address. In addition, they should be the ears and the eyes in a neighbourhood. They keep in touch with, among other things, the shopkeepers’ associations and are present at neighborhood meetings and neighborhood activities. If necessary, they mediate in minor conflicts.”
Are they sufficiently visible?
“You mainly see a local police officer on a bicycle or on foot,” says the police spokesperson. “A retired community police officer told me that he did everything on foot, but because he was approached by so many people on his round, his work was jeopardized. So he switched to cycling. Being visible and approachable is now an important task.”
How can the local police officer be reached?
On the website of the Antwerp police, residents can enter their address on a map. It not only shows who the local police officer is, but also what the police station is for the neighbourhood.
Why are district police offices only accessible by appointment?
Outside the Oudaan and Noorderlaan police stations, all district offices can be reached by appointment. “Research showed that few people came to the district offices on a scheduled basis,” says Migom. “That is why it has been decided that it is better to send the officers out into the street than just keep them in the office until someone comes by. By making agreements, we increase efficiency and realize more blue on the street. Moreover, our combis are equipped in such a way that they are actually mobile offices. Some declarations can also be made from behind their computer.”