A police officer that was behind the vehicle of the patrol car that was involved in a collision following a chase in the Brussels municipality of Ganshoren last Monday has been arrested. The police vehicle was in persuit of an 11-year-old boy that was riding an e-scooter. The boy had failed to stop for a police check. The police car hit the rear of the scooter causing the boy to fall off it. He sustained severe head injuries. Attempts to revive him were unsucessuful and he died later in hospital.
Police officer involved in collision that resulted in death of 11-year-old boy arrested
Published:
The Brussel prosecutor’s office is investigating what exactly happened. As an officer from the Brussels West Local Police Service was involved in the accident officers from the Brussels South Local Police Service are carrying out the police investigation. The police monitoring body Comité P is also investigating the incident.
Disbelief from police unions
The liberal trade union VSOA that represents some of the country’s police officers has reacted with disbelief to the news of the arrest.
"We’re unable to lock up criminals, but a 24-year-old police officer with 2 years’ service that has been accused of something without malice of forethought is locked up. This is unprecedented”.
Mr Houssin added that the young policeman is in shock and in urgent need of psychological help, something that he is not being given in prison.
"We no longer understand the Justice Department. Preventive detention is for people where there is risk of them absconding or for repeat offenders. Even if mistakes were made, it is “not done” to jail a 24-year-old young man who is himself in shock."
The union calls for better legal protection for police officers, especially while they carry out their duties.
Another police union NSPV is also surprised by the news. “It is not up to us to do the work of the prosecutor's office, and it goes without saying that this collision must be thoroughly investigated, but this still raises a number of questions” NSPV’s leader Carlo Medo said.
Interior minister "waiting for results of investigation"
Speaking at around 7:30am on Wednesday, the Federal Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (Francophone liberal) told VRT News that he was not aware of the arrest. Mr Quintin added that "together with the family and the public" he is waiting for the results of the investigation and that "These should come as soon as possible".
Mr Quintin indicated that procedures around car chases are being looked into. "E-scooters are increasingly being used by younger children. This is not allowed by law and the law must be respected. However, we need to take into account what is the reality on the ground. This does not make the work of police officers easy."