The Code of Ethics of police services has its origins in the so-called “Exodus Act” of 26 April 2002, which deals with the essential elements of the status of the police services’ staff members (law "Exodus"). However, police ethics is not a new concept; it is as old as the police themselves. Our legislators established a code of ethics to harmonise the mentalities, states of mind and attitudes of the staff members, whatever their rank.

It is not often that a text dealing with the issue of police gives rise to so many debates, consultations and negotiations. The Police Code of Ethics is the result of a true partnership. A great number of internal and external bodies were involved in this thought and creation process, i.e. the Standing committee of the Local Police, the general directorates of the Federal Police, the Standing Police Monitoring Committee, the General Inspection of Police Services, the Disciplinary Committee, the Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism, the General Directorate Security and Prevention of the Federal Public Service Home Affairs and the trade unions. The Mayors Advisory Council and the Council of State also provided recommendations. So the Code of Ethics of the police services is the fruit of a long thought, discussion and gestation process. The code is now a royal decree dated 10 May 2006; it came into force on 30 May 2006. It is made up of 4 chapters and 81 items listing the duties but also the rights of all the staff members of the integrated police. It conveys the same values as those conveyed in the reference culture, i.e. the human rights, the constitutional rights and freedoms, the well-being at work, the motivation of staff members, the exercise of leadership, the equality and diversity of opportunity or the general principles of the staff members’ status such as impartiality, availability and integrity. Therefore it is a real practical tool, a reference frame, a guide helping the staff members of the integrated police to make the right choices. A copy of the Code of Ethics is provided to each staff member. In order to be a practical tool, the code must be able to evolve. Indeed, some of the topics covered by the code are likely to undergo (technical, ethical, legal…) changes. Consequently the code will change. It will also have to be clarified in a supplement including practical illustrations, test cases, doctrine… An ethics committee has also been set up. It is composed of two representatives of the Federal Police, two representatives of the Local Police and one representative of each organisation representing the staff. Its task consists in advising the Minister for Home Affairs regarding the implementation, the adaptation and the assessment of the code. If necessary, the committee can suggest changes that it deems relevant.