Belgium’s Minister of Interior is proposing a significant overhaul of the country’s police structure amid growing threats against politicians and law enforcement. The move comes as authorities report an increase in security risks requiring adjustments to the nation’s security framework.
Bernard Quintin (MR) announced plans on February 2, 2026, to reduce the number of local police zones nationwide from 176 to approximately 60, according to interviews with De Tijd and BRUZZ. “I seek to reform the security architecture throughout the country,” Quintin said in Het Laatste Nieuws. “The current fragmentation with 176 police zones is not good for security.”
Quintin questioned the efficiency of the current system, pointing to the disproportionate number of zones in Flemish Brabant compared to Brussels, which have similar populations. “Who can explain to me why there are 23 police zones in Flemish Brabant for 1.2 million inhabitants, almost the same population as in Brussels?” he asked.
Even as a previous consolidation effort in Brussels involved mandated mergers, Quintin intends to pursue voluntary mergers in the rest of the country, offering additional funding to incentivize cooperation. The minister is also developing a new funding model for local police, designed to benefit cities that were previously disadvantaged.
The proposed mergers are intended to increase efficiency without reducing the number of police officers. Quintin is scheduled to present his draft legislation for the merger of the Brussels police zones to the Chamber of Representatives committee on February 10, 2026. The consolidation of Brussels’ police forces is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, with the unified zone becoming operational in the first half of 2027. This restructuring aims to streamline law enforcement and improve the overall security posture of the nation’s capital.
