Belgium
Civil protection and public safety in Belgium are organized on a federal basis and are jointly administered by national, regional, and local authorities. While fire protection and most emergency medical services are provided by fire districts at the local level, the national government assumes coordinating and supporting roles in disaster management through the civil protection agency. Since the 2001 reform, the police have been organized into an integrated structure comprising the federal police and local police zones and are responsible for maintaining public safety, preventing threats, and law enforcement. Together, these organizations form the central pillars of Belgium’s security, emergency response, and disaster management system.
Police
The history of the police in Belgium dates back to the 19th century, when state and municipal police structures were established to maintain public safety and order. As part of comprehensive reforms, the Belgian police system was fundamentally reorganized in 2001 and transformed into an integrated structure comprising local and federal police forces. Today, the Politie Fédérale, together with the local police zones, is responsible nationwide for threat prevention, law enforcement, and public safety. One important special unit is the Direction des unités spéciales (DSU), which specializes in counterterrorism, hostage rescues, and particularly complex operational situations, and ensures rapid response capabilities throughout the country through various operational components. Together, the integrated police force and its specialized units form a central pillar of internal security in Belgium.
