Belgium's largest police trade union has written a letter to the Prime Minister denouncing chief of police Eric Snoeck and accusing him of covering up a damning report.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Bart de Wever (N-VA), Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR) and Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) on 10 April, the trade union VSOA denounces an "ethical and administrative crisis" at the top of the federal police and calls for intervention.
The letter targets commissioner general of the federal police Eric Snoeck. "Our confidence in the commissioner general and his policy is non-existent," it states.
Federal police general commissioner Eric Snoeck. Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
Covered up report?
VSOA's claims are largely based on a survey that was completed in 2023 but "has been sitting on the shelf for two years".
Over 1,700 employees involved in investigations into organised crime, drug crime, financial fraud and corruption were surveyed about their working conditions. Respondents described "persistent conflicts", bullying, lack of confidence in management, a culture of fear and sexual intimidation aimed at women.
"These disturbing results were achieved under [Snoeck's] leadership," Stijn Pauwels of VSOA told Het Laatste Nieuws. "And on 11 April 2023, he was already shown the figures. That is literally in the report."
"If this report had been on his CV, it would certainly have played a negative role in his appointment [as commissioner general, ed.] in 2024. It seems that Snoeck therefore decided to keep quiet about it for as long as possible."
Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR). Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
Snoeck has denied these claims. "There is no question of withholding information," according to spokesperson An Berger, who explained that the presentation in April 2023 were of "rough figures" that "lacked context and analysis".
The commissioner general then requested a more extensive report to be conducted over 1.5 years. "That is a long time," Berger concedes. "But it was not a strategy. The pace depended, among other things, on the availability of people within the team that had to draw up the report."
What next?
VSOA wants the Federal Government to draw up an action plan to tackle the issue "firmly and decisively". "Otherwise, further steps will follow."
Prime Minister De Wever has declined to comment. Quintin says "the dialogue between unions and the federal police will continue within the existing consultation structures."
As for Snoeck, his spokesperson says "he regrets that a union shared an internal report and uses this as a strategy instead of conducting discussions in a professional manner and via the correct channels."
