Brussels some have been for more than two years and their ballistic resistance is no longer guaranteed.
Polemic within the Midi police zone, which covers the territories of Anderlecht, Forest and Saint-Gilles! According to our information, members of the staff of the Anti-Crime Brigade (BAC), sort of special units of the federal police but at the local level, use daily Class 4 bulletproof safety vests, the most resistant, for missions which are attributed to them. But it comes back to us that all of these bulletproof vests are out of date since last year.
When a vest is out of date, it means that the structure no longer guarantees the safety of the officer because of several factors including humidity. “Result: the impacts are much heavier which leads to an increased risk of bruises, bruises or fractures of police intervention,” says Alain, police advisor of the Midi area, who arrested the police college.
But that’s not all. The 21 staff members of BAC Midi Zone use a kit to transfer Level 2 inmates, considered dangerous. “Despite the increase in level 2 prisoner transfers that LAC staff members have been facing for several months, they have only one kit, which led them last year to borrow material from the federal police to make the transfer of detainees in the best possible security conditions for them and for the prisoners concerned who must also wear these reflective vests, “adds Alain.
Only here, the class 4 bulletproof vests that are in this kit are also out of date since … 2014. The parties were therefore forced to make their own makeshift repairs to make the vests operational.
On the side of the Midi police zone, we recognize that problems have occurred in the delivery, but that the situation is now in order. “We ordered 30 vests last year, divided between the different police services,” said Marie Verbose, spokeswoman for the area. “In addition, an order was made for 80 additional chasubles that were delivered last week and will soon be distributed to BAC staff.”
The Midi police zone is a candidate to be a pilot zone to equip some of its personnel with tasters, these electric impulse guns. The information was confirmed by the spokesperson for the area. An idea that had already been proposed by police advisor Alain: “This non-lethal weapon sends two electrodes that release a discharge that temporarily blocks the nervous system and briefly immobilizes the affected person to allow the police to intervene and proceed with his arrest “, commented Alain in safety clothing, police advisor in the Midi area, who arrested the college.”These tasters would prevent the police from having to use their service weapon to ensure their integrity while guaranteeing the safety of those arrested.”