The General Inspectorate of the Police (IGP) has published its yearly status report, showing a near 25% year-over-year increase in cases of disciplinary instructions, administrative and criminal investigations, and complaints addressed against the police.
109 criminal investigations were launched against the police last year, with close to every third case involving alleged police brutality (29%), according to the report. This is followed by threats (6.5%), off-duty assault and battery (6.5%), abuse of power (5.6%), and racism/xenophobia (4.9%).
Most of the investigations launched against the police are of an administrative nature, making up 43,3% of the total number of investigations. Two main allegations against the police predominate within this category, namely violations against internal procedures and inappropriate behaviour.
Furthermore, 76 new disciplinary investigations were launched last year, ranging from driving under the influence to missing report deadlines, non-compliance with service regulations, and illicit consultation of databases.
300 cases were closed this year, including 74 criminal investigations that were sent back to judicial authorities, 137 administrative investigations, of which almost a third were closed, and 90 disciplinary procedures, of which 42 cases led to measures taken against specific police officers.
12 monetary fines were awarded as part of these investigations.
The report also provides information about the use of service weapons last year: a police officer fired a shot at a car, one officer turned a gun on themselves, and there were 47 cases of police using a service weapon for wild animals injured by motorised vehicles.
The report also delves into fines issued by police, which are not always justified. 12,700 fines were thus cancelled by the IGP, making up 1.42% of all fines.
