Namur police will patrol on rollerblades

NAMUR FROM MID-JUNE Namur police will patrol on rollerblades Our "rollercops" are trained by a special Parisian brigade. A first in Belgium! Namur police like to in- novate and above all to give a dynamic and modern image of themselves. In the Walloon capital, we already knew about police on horseback, motorcycle, scooter, VIT and Smart cars. Now, here they are on... rollerblades! A first in Belgium. From June 14, a team of police officers will patrol the city center on rollerblades. Like in Paris, London or New York... An internship in Paris "This is a first test," explains Commissioner Labbé of the traffic division. "A few years ago, some of us were trained to supervise the Roller Parade. We realized that contact with participants was good. We therefore decided to test a real patrol." As a result, our police officers underwent specific training. Last Sep- tember, they went to Paris where a rollerblading police unit was set up in 1998. On site, the Namur officers were able to perfect their skills: obstacle jumping, rapid braking, pursuit... "And above all, to learn police techniques on rollerblades," specifies Philippe Labbé. Because zigzagging is one thing, but controlling someone with wheels on their feet is another. This is why patrols will be carried out in a team of three. Cruising speed: 20km/h. Although it is easy to reach 40km/h. "French police trained us to shoot, to handcuff, to perform an identity check, a search..." A Parisian delegation is also expected to arrive in Namur at the end of June for new training sessions. They will also take part in the 1st Roller Parade of the season. This is obviously not the first Photo: Police officers will easily be able to reach 40km/h in case of pursuit. © ARCHIVES S.P. time we will see police officers on skates. But until now, in Brussels as in Namur, they supervised certain events (like the Roller Parade) and were not trained for intervention. "The objective is to respond concretely to the concept of community policing. Rollerblading is a very good communication vector. At the Roller Parade, the integration of police officers is excellent," continues the commissioner. "In addition, it reflects a friendly and dynamic image of our police. Not to mention that you can move faster than on foot!" AGNÈS DEMARET Photo: Police officers learned to shoot... with wheels on their feet. © POLICE DE NAMUR : in brief PATROLS ON TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS Rollerblade patrols will therefore be tested this summer in Namur. Initially, the "rollercops" will be out three times a week: at the Roller Parade (on Thursdays), and on patrol on Tuesdays (from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Fridays (from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.). "If the test is conclusive, the experiment can be renewed from April to September depending on the weather," says the Namur police. Where? In the center, in Jambes, in Salzinnes and at events. : the figure 14 police officers from Namur have decided to join the "rollerblading patrol." They followed several training courses, including an internship in Paris last year. Our "rollercops" continue their training at the Jambes ice rink. : interview WITH Joël Dekeyzer OF THE BRUSSELS POLICE HEAD OF THE BRUSSELS "ROLLERCOPS" TEAM BY AGNÈS DEMARET JOURNALIST FROM JUNE 30 focus Roller-mania, every Thursday ►In Namur, the Roller Parade has been a hit. This ride through the city streets organized once a week during the summer is a success. The procession has already reached 1,500 people! We're doing it again this year: every Thursday evening, from June 30. Participants come from everywhere: Brussels, Antwerp, Mons... Cities that have their own parade. But it seems that in Namur, the route and roads are of better quality... - V.L Up to 70km/h downhill! For several years, Brussels has had its Roller Parade. As in Namur, police officers have been trained to supervise it. They also patrol in the Bois de la Cambre on summer weekends. What are the advantages of a rollerblade patrol? Contact with the population is established more easily. We are more visible and relationships are also created with young people. On the other hand, at first, police officers feel less confident. As a result, they exude less authority. It's only once they are used to moving on rollerblades that they truly become police officers again, with the confidence that must be shown in certain situations. Why not organize patrols in the city center? Patrolling in the Bois de la Cambre or on Rue Neuve is not the same. Here, it's about providing a service, not chasing thieves. It would require different training. The Namur police are the first to set themselves this challenge in Belgium. We'll see what comes of it. Is it conceivable in Brussels? If that were the case, a team would of course be needed to provide "back-up" in case of aggression, escape.... I envision the "rollercops" team more for prevention than repression. Even if it must be admitted, moving on rollerblades is faster than on foot: from 20 to 40km/h. And on downhills, it has already happened to reach 70km/h! That was in Namur, before participating in a Roller Parade...