Tienen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Nadine Bergmans has officially taken oath as the new chief of police for the Getevallei zone, covering Hoegaarden, Tienen, Linter, Zoutleeuw, and Landen.
Head Commissioner Bergmans took over as police head when Chief Commissioner Stephan Gillis was forced to resign because of an inquiry into illegal activity.
According to the Belgium police zone, Chief Commissioner Bergmans was nominated by the police council in March after persuading the selection committee at the start of the year with his vast experience in the police services.
“In the meantime, she has been appointed by royal decree to the mandate of chief of police for a term of five years. Her appointment is formally confirmed by the oath-taking. However, the position is not unfamiliar to her: she has already held the mandate for almost two years, and has purposefully set the organization on a course towards more structure, cooperation and professional growth.”
“My ambition is clear,”
says the new Tienen chief of police himself.
“I want to make the Getevallei police zone a professional organization in which people feel good, can use their talents and take responsibility together. We are there for our citizens, but also for each other. The challenges are great: we must continue to build an agile and effective organization in an increasingly complex society.”
How might the leadership change impact police-community relations locally?
Bergmans’ appointment presents a chance to restore community trust, as the previous chief resigned over accusations of misconduct.
Restoring the police’s legitimacy in the public’s eyes and mending strained relationships require strong leadership dedicated to accountability and transparency.
A change from a conventional “warrior” mentality to a “guardian” one, where cops actively interact with the community, form alliances, and work together to resolve issues before they become more serious, can be sparked by effective police leadership.
The leadership of Chief Bergmans could make this culture change a top priority, motivating all officers to engage in community service and cultivating a more favorable police presence.
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