BEHOLDER Project
Belgian Police – Politiezone Meetjesland Centrum
Who we are
The Belgian Police – Politiezone Meetjesland Centrum (BEP) is a regional police force responsible for maintaining public order, ensuring safety and providing security services across one city and two municipalities in Belgium.
Reason for joining BEHOLDER
Given the current geopolitical situation, the police zone recognizes the importance of enhancing preparedness against emerging security threats. Participation in BEHOLDER allows the organisation to strengthen its capabilities in detecting and responding to CBRN-E threats.
Role in the project
BEP focuses on the integration of the designed multisensor devices into its existing network, including testing and configuration to ensure effective operation within real-world environments.
Collaboration
The organisation works collaboratively with other BEHOLDER partners to learn and evolve in the CBRN-E domain, sharing testing results and operational insights to support the project’s goals.
Innovation
BEP is introducing a private long-range Wi-Fi network covering its entire jurisdiction—one city and two municipalities—under its own management. This infrastructure supports a smart city approach, enabling advanced connectivity and real-time data exchange for security applications.
Expected project outcome
The organisation aims to achieve relevant detection results with heatmap visualisation and real-time alerts, enhancing situational awareness and response capabilities.
Future vision
Through BEHOLDER, BEP seeks to build a convincing case for integrating advanced CBRN-E detection technologies into future security and smart city strategies, reinforcing its operational effectiveness and public safety mission.
Staff involved
Johan Verschaeve
Johan is an ICT and innovation professional with over 35 years of experience, including the past 20 years serving within the Belgian Police. He currently holds the position of Chief Information Security Officer and combines this role with extensive expertise as a system administrator, team leader, certified Data Protection Officer, and licensed (C)UAS pilot. Johan is seconded as C-UAS TIG Leader within ENLETS.EU and actively contributes to European research and innovation as a member of advisory boards and consortia for several Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects and proposals. His work focuses on counter-UAS, digital forensics, societal resilience, and CBRN-E domains. In addition, he has participated in numerous international exercises and training programs organized by the UN, Interpol, NATO and other high-risk security networks.
BEP Team of Experts
Cédric Dobbelaere
Cédric is an ICT professional with over seven years of experience in the field. He currently works as a System Administrator and IT Helpdesk operator, where he is responsible for managing IT infrastructure and providing technical support to ensure smooth and reliable operations.
Tom Roeygens
Tom has over ten years of experience in logistics and assembly. He is responsible for vehicle and facility maintenance and specializes in the installation of temporary and mobile camera systems, supporting operational readiness and infrastructure efficiency.
Cédric Dobbelaere
Cédric is an ICT professional with over seven years of experience in the field. He currently works as a System Administrator and IT Helpdesk operator, where he is responsible for managing IT infrastructure and providing technical support to ensure smooth and reliable operations.
Tom Roeygens
Tom has over ten years of experience in logistics and assembly. He is responsible for vehicle and facility maintenance and specializes in the installation of temporary and mobile camera systems, supporting operational readiness and infrastructure efficiency.
Sam De Decker
Sam holds a Bachelor’s degree in Societal Security and is a certified Prevention Advisor. He works in Human Resources, where he combines administrative responsibilities with support for the IT department by assisting with various administrative and coordination tasks, contributing to efficient and compliant organizational operations.
Kurt De Waele
Kurt has extensive experience in logistics and administration, having served for 20 years in the Belgian Defense, where he left his position as Adjutant and Company Quartermaster Sergeant to join the Belgian Police. He has since been working in logistics and facility management, bringing strong organizational, operational and administrative expertise to his role.
Sam De Decker
Sam holds a Bachelor’s degree in Societal Security and is a certified Prevention Advisor. He works in Human Resources, where he combines administrative responsibilities with support for the IT department by assisting with various administrative and coordination tasks, contributing to efficient and compliant organizational operations.
Kurt De Waele
Kurt has extensive experience in logistics and administration, having served for 20 years in the Belgian Defense, where he left his position as Adjutant and Company Quartermaster Sergeant to join the Belgian Police. He has since been working in logistics and facility management, bringing strong organizational, operational and administrative expertise to his role.