Maasmechelen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Federal Police plan to organise twelve training sessions at Maasmechelen this year, which will teach public order maintenance skills for dealing with festivals and demonstrations. The first exercise of the year is scheduled for February, followed by ongoing events from February to November 2023.
The Federal Police organisation will hold 12 training events in Maasmechelen throughout this year to prepare public safety operations for large-scale events. These drills will happen in the vicinity of the Patro Eisden football field with participation from local and federal police services.
The first training session begins on Thursday, with additional sessions scheduled for February 13 and 26, March 19, 26, 27 and April 3 and 22 and dates in October and November.
According to Robin Minten, administrative director of the Federal Police in Limburg,
“We practice managing large events such as festivals, demonstrations and sporting events,”
Says Robin Minten, administrative director of the Federal Police in Limburg.
“We are expected to be able to make these large gatherings run smoothly. If that goes smoothly, we will have to do less.”
Largely anticipated abilities to run big public events without problems exist for law enforcement staff. The successful completion of this initial task will require us to handle fewer situations.
The sessions instruct law enforcement officials to handle events, starting from simple, peaceful gatherings and progressing through various levels of conflict resolution using advanced law enforcement methods.
When events are less peaceful, the police have an arsenal of techniques ready to restore order.
“At first, it involves negotiating, but it can escalate to deploying a sprinkler truck,”
Says Minten.
All scenarios will be practised in Maasmechelen.
“These types of exercises are also part of the basic training for police officers, but then we choose military domains. Now, we really want to work together with the local police and practice in the most realistic conditions possible.”
The location chosen is, therefore, the neighbourhood around the stadium of football club Patro Eisden Maasmechelen.
“Local residents will see police vehicles driving around. They will stop every now and then. Our officers will also have to read maps and communicate. You will see some movement, but it is an exercise,”
The police director reassures.
Why is Maasmechelen Significant for Police Operations?
The strategic position, alongside past public safety issues, has made Maasmechelen an important area for police enforcement efforts. The 2018 Ndrangheta organised crime operations led to four arrests in Maasmechelen during its enforcement phase. The local area became crucial during the 2021 search operations for Jürgen Conings after 400 officers searched Hoge Kempen National Park.
The operation brought together special units from Belgium and units from neighbouring countries. The previous events emphasise how essential it is for Maasmechelen law enforcement agencies to maintain strong capabilities for executing large events with professionalism.
