Former policeman guilty of sexual cross -border behavior and voyeurism in commissioner: Man must follow guidance (Berlaar)
The investigation into the then chief inspector – the man no longer works for the police – started in 2023. He was responsible for a specific police section and had his office in the Berlaar commissioner. « Sir then had the perception that sexual tension had arisen between him and a cleaning lady of the police building. And that drove him to go to the dressing room and shower room on 13 June of that year and to stand naked, with the door open, » said attorney Philippe van Ingelgem.
The woman in question did not respond to his behavior and that is why the chief inspector tried again a week later. « Again he opened the door. In the hope that the cleaning lady would see him again naked. And that made sure that the victim was completely of her milk. It was the second time in a few days that she was confronted with a naked man. In the police commissioner. »
Bra
The woman trusted another staff member and reported what had happened to her. That led to a criminal investigation and so a second incident came to light. « A fact of voyeurism. He asked a subordinate to show her bra and also to bare a breast. He filmed the whole event secretly and also masturbated. It concerned sexual interactions in the workplace instead of working. During the investigation, other forms of inappropriate behavior came up, but there was no criminal law, according to us.
He asked a subordinate to show her bra and also to bare a breast. He filmed the whole event secretly and also masturbated
Philippe van Ingelgem
Attorney
The attorney also outlined the impact that the whole incident had on the cleaning lady. « She was so affected that she only came to work if the man was not there. He did everything with one goal: that the woman would see him naked. His mission was perhaps successful, but he did commit a crime. »
Dismissed
The chief inspector was now fired by the police zone. « My client started a guidance. He has been a consultation with a psychologist and wants to continue that process, » lawyer Frank Coel responded on behalf of the policeman. « The man has lost his work and has already contracted a criminal record in the form of a C4. It says that he was fired for a heavy disciplinary sanction. »
According to the lawyer, the former chief inspector now works in a completely different industry. « Mr.’s behavior was not easy to talk. He was arrested on 22 June and led away in the sight of everyone. That was particularly difficult for him: being arrested as a policeman. »
He was arrested on June 22 and led away in the sight of everyone. That was particularly difficult for him: being arrested as a policeman
Frank Coel
Lawyer
Yet the man denied things. « He maintains that he did not walk naked by the corridors of the commissariat. No surveillance images have been taught. And I assume that the police commissioner is one of the best guarded places of Berlaar. »
Lawyer Frank Coel assisted the former chief inspector. – © Joris Herregods
The defense also found that there was no appeals of the cleaning lady and also denied voyeurism. “Someone who is masturbating behind his computer and asks a colleague to show a breast? Even the woman in question talked about spielerei. «
However, the attorney contradicted the latter. « There are secretly made images and that is the same with voyeurism. »
Treatment
The three judges of the correctional court considered the former policeman guilty, but also took into account the positive evolution that has undergone since the facts. They imposed a probation-suspension. In this way he must be treated further for his psychological and sexual problems.
