Suicide crisis hits Belgian police

25 August 2004

BRUSSELS – One Belgian police officer commits suicide every three weeks, according to an internal police report released on Wednesday.

From the start of 2001 to 31 December 2003, there were 44 suicides and five attempted suicides in the police force, reports Flemish daily De Morgen.

This is double the number of average suicides for the population as a whole.

Officers generally commit suicide using their official police gun, says the report.

The police force has said it is taking all possible actions to prevent acts of desperation.

Subject: Belgian news