The Protection department

In 1995 and 1996, Belgium was confronted with an increasing number of violent and bloody attacks on cash-in-transit vans. In the wake of the strikes and demonstrations which followed, the government decided that security guards had to be placed under the close protection of the police. The protection department was created in this context, on 1st May 1998.

The Protection department is a specialised service of the Federal police that mainly carries out protection missions for cash-in-transit companies. Such missions consist in escorting vans transporting funds and securities within a zone (“Intracity”) or between different zones (“Intercity”).

As the years went by, such protection was offered to other categories of special transport, like diamonds, works of art, weapons or nuclear material. From time to time, the department also escorts VIP or keeps watch on sensitive areas.

On week-ends and official holidays, the Protection department supports local police zones by maintaining public or judicial order during special events (football matches, demonstrations, etc.).

In order to carry out its missions, the Protection department may rely on about 100 members of the staff. Moreover, in order to work in optimal security conditions, the department is equipped with armoured vehicles and specific collective weapons.

Every member of the staff follows specific basic training, as well as continuing training mainly focusing on escort techniques and shooting.

Protection tasks

The non specialised tasks of the Protection department of the General Reserve consist, among other things, in:

• The national transfer of prisoners.
• The protection of the embassies.
• The guard of the Parliament.

The specialised tasks of the Protection department are:

• The Intercity escorts (money and jewels).
• The escort of transports of the Belgian National Bank funds.
• The transfer of dangerous prisoners (persons over and under 18).
• The escort of nuclear and high-risk transports (works of art, weapons, etc.).
• The protection of persons (VIP missions).