During his visit to our country, the Pope’s security was ensured by his own team, but also by the Central Unit of the Protection Directorate. Its members, although discreet, played an active role in protecting the pope.
“Their collaboration ensured that this historic visit could take place smoothly and safely,” comments the Federal Police. Which publishes exclusive images of these agents like no other, as well as very impressive photos of the Special Units, which were strategically posted in various places: snipers, camo’s (camouflage), drone teams, “and others which we do not know can’t talk to you,” comments the Federal Police. “A historic security system that our colleagues will not soon forget.” In any case, on the part of the Federal Police, it is a great way to highlight the work of these men in the shadows.
Belgium regularly receives heads of state and government, for example on the occasion of a European or NATO summit. Over the years, our country has therefore acquired great expertise in the protection of personalities, management and supervision of the multiple events and demonstrations involved in these major international meetings. In 2023, the National Crisis Center coordinated the visits of no less than 1,500 personalities.
For each visit, the National Crisis Center coordinates all security measures to be taken and brings together all the services concerned before and during the personality’s visit. He determines security measures based on analyzes by the Coordination Body for Threat Analysis (OCAM). It is then up to the local police zones concerned and the Federal Police services to implement the measures on the ground.
Analyzes and measurements obviously rely on the information collected, which is carefully analyzed and transformed into useful information. This is therefore an important task which falls, among others, to our civil security and intelligence services (VSSE) and military (SGRS).
