The police officer linked to the death of Adil Charrot (19) in 2020 has again been accused by his colleagues of racism, sexism and boasting about murder. The revelations have renewed pressure on the Brussels-Midi police force to investigate and fight against institutional racism.
Charrot was killed in a police chase on 10 April 2020 when his e-scooter collided head-on with a police car going in the opposite direction. Despite multiple reports of racist remarks made by the officer behind the wheel before and after the incident, no disciplinary measures were taken until January 2024, when a fresh wave of complaints about the officer's behaviour led to his suspension.
The first round of allegations came in May 2023, when a letter signed by 18 police officers of the same unit denounced their colleague's "xenophobic, racist and sexist behaviour towards members of GIG3 [the police unit]".
Most significant to the 'Adil Affair', the officer reportedly boasted about being responsible for the young man's death, saying he had "taken one off the street". The letter's signatories believe repeated comments of this nature constitute "serious offences" and merit legal proceedings.
"Several racist insults were hurled at police inspectors of foreign origin," the letter also highlights. In addition, "several female colleagues are at their wits' end and can no longer stand the remarks made by the senior inspector. He keeps referring to their physical appearance and the fact that they are weaker because of their sex."
'Structural racism'
On Tuesday 20 February, the Council Chamber will decide whether or not the officer and two of his colleagues should go to trial based on accusations of manslaughter and conspiracy to commit an offence.
In the absence of any ruling so far, the accused remained in the force until January, transferring to traffic control where he posed less of a problem, according to chief of police Jurgen De Landsheer. "[The traffic department] is the most diverse in the area, with the largest number of police officers of foreign origin," he told RTBF as an explanation for the transfer.
A banner denouncing police violence pictured in the centre of Anderlecht, Brussels, Friday 27 November 2020. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
However, five colleagues from traffic control have come forward to denounce the officer's continued misconduct. "This inspector has no business being a police officer," they stated. "He creates a climate of terror in his department. He flaunts his racism and behaves intolerably towards his female colleagues."
The group goes on to say that superiors knew about this misconduct yet failed to react. The complainants believe this inaction amounts to "proof of structural racism".
The revelations have since resulted in the officer's provisional suspension from the force.
Official response
Political attitudes toward the idea of an independent investigation into institutional racism diverge somewhat.
Ahead of a monthly police council meeting on Monday evening, the Belgian Worker's Party (PTB-PVDA) have tabled a motion calling for an external audit of the how the Brussels-Midi area is policed, as well as better protection for whistleblowers in the force.
The mayors of the affected communes – Saint Gilles, Forest and Anderlecht – are more hesitant about an independent audit. "We've had a number of slip-ups, [but] everyone condemns racism and xenophobia," Saint Gilles mayor Jean Spinette (PS) told BX1 in January. The socialist politician believes an external audit would only undermine legal proceedings.
De Landsheer vigorously denies the existence of structural racism within the police force. "Two proven cases in almost ten years clearly demonstrates that, contrary to what some people like to suggest, there is no structural racism within our police zone," he told La Libre.
Nevertheless, an external audit has been launched, aiming to evaluate the efficacy of disciplinary procedures for police misconduct. Separately, the zone has announced an action plan focusing on discrimination, diversity and prejudice which will include in-depth training for officers. The eventual introduction of body cameras for police on the ground is also gathering pace.
