A study by researchers from the UniversitΓ© libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) has provided precise data on diversity within the Brussels police force. The analysis of 6,750 personnel profiles found that 6.5% of officers have Moroccan origins, a figure that remains significantly lower than the proportion of people of Moroccan descent in the general population of the Brussels-Capital Region.
The research, reported by Belgian newspaper Le Soir, aimed to establish concrete indicators for measuring diversity. It highlights a persistent underrepresentation of certain communities within the police, despite Brussels being one of Europe's most diverse cities. The study's methodology involved analyzing the administrative data of police collaborators to trace geographical origins.
Experts note that this disparity can impact community policing and public trust. The findings are expected to inform ongoing policy discussions about recruitment, integration, and representativeness within public institutions in Belgium. The study provides a benchmark for future assessments of diversity efforts in the capital's police services.
