A senior Belgian federal police official facing an internal workplace investigation has been appointed as a police liaison officer in Brasília, Brazil, sparking sharp criticism from police unions and complainants. The assignment, formalized by Interior Minister Bernard Quintin, grants a monthly salary exceeding 5,000 euros alongside extensive housing and relocation benefits, according to internal documents.
Internal Investigations and the Move to Brazil
The controversy centers on Commissioner Divisionary C.P., who previously served as the human resources manager for the federal judicial police in Liège. In late 2024, roughly twenty members of that unit filed internal reports detailing a toxic workplace culture, unjustified marginalization, and allegations of racist and sexist remarks. The Liège labor auditor’s office subsequently opened a judicial inquiry into the complaints, which remains ongoing nearly two years later.
Despite the active investigation, C.P. was transferred in November 2024 to head the “Centrex Terro” (terrorism expertise center) within the Directorate-General for the Fight against Serious and Organized Crime (DJSOC). On September 14, 2026, his superior, Director Patrick Ludinant, issued an internal note announcing the commissioner’s departure for Brazil to assume duties as a liaison officer, thanking him for his engagement and constant support of the unit.
Diplomatic Perks and Financial Package
The posting to the Brazilian capital carries significant financial and material compensation funded by the federal police. Documents from the International Police Cooperation Directorate outline a comprehensive package that includes a localized cost-of-living allowance determined by household composition, coverage for local housing, moving expenses, and partial tuition subsidies for the officer’s children. The arrangement also provides for an annual round-trip flight back to Belgium for the officer and their family, as well as supplementary international health insurance.
According to informed sources cited by Belgian media, the commissioner’s base salary already exceeds 5,000 euros per month based on rank and seniority before factoring in the allowances provided at the Brasília post, located approximately 9,000 kilometers away from the judicial authorities handling the ongoing probe.
Union Reaction and Concerns Over Justice
Labor representatives have strongly condemned the timing and nature of the promotion. Eddy Quaino, a permanent representative for the CGSP Police union who initially exposed the toxic environment at the Liège unit in 2024, questioned the fairness of the administrative decision. “While the presumption of innocence is essential, appointing someone facing such serious complaints to such a prominent representative position raises questions,” Quaino stated, noting that union efforts to defend affected personnel now face a delayed judicial process.
Anonymous complainants echoed these concerns, asking why personnel who reported workplace misconduct have been sidelined while senior figures receive prestigious international assignments. “What has happened to the victims, their reputation, and their professional careers while the justice system takes years to process their files?” one complainant asked, calling on Federal Police Commissioner General Eric Snoeck to institute tangible internal protections against retaliation.
Official Response and Legal Status
The Ministry of the Interior defended the appointment, stating that the selection followed established administrative procedures. The cabinet of Interior Minister Bernard Quintin noted that because no legal wrongdoing has been officially established, the presumption of innocence applies. The interior ministry added that if formal charges emerge during the ongoing labor auditor’s investigation, the assignment will be subject to administrative review and potential revision.
The commissioner’s physical relocation to South America could complicate procedural steps for the Liège labor auditor, particularly regarding future hearings or investigative actions. The Liège labor auditor’s office declined to comment on internal personnel management decisions made by police leadership, maintaining that the judiciary operates independently from administrative deployment choices.