Belgian Gendarmerie

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The Belgian Gendarmerie (Dutch: Rijkswacht) was the national police force of Belgium until January 1, 2001. On that day, the Belgian Gendarmerie merged with other police forces into the Local police and Federal police.

The Gendarmerie used to be the responsibility of the Minister of National Defense, but it lost its military status after January 1, 1992, when a large restructuring of the force was made. It was then put under supervision of the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Justice, obtaining a civilian status. This restructuring occurred after the 'black' 1980's of the Nijvel gang, Heysel Stadium disaster, Cellules Communistes Combattantes, and other criminal and terrorist activity, against which the Gendarmerie was deemed ineffective.

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