A heated debate has broken out over the new Belgian police uniform. French-speaking politicians and unions claim the design looks “too Flemish,” and even the Minister of the Interior has raised doubts about the project. But is the criticism justified? Can a national uniform really look too Flemish to be worn across the whole country? I decided to find out.
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An initially warm reception
The criticism of the new uniform comes as a surprise. After more than twenty years in the same outfit, the Belgian police were eager for an update. Many officers felt the old design lacked authority and even looked like a marching band costume.
When the new uniform debuted in June 2024, relief spread quickly. Dutch workwear designer Karin Slegers created the collection, and many officers welcomed the change. Instead of a fully dark-blue outfit, they now wear jackets with reflective and fluorescent panels.
To complete the fresh look, police vehicles (cars and motorcycles) also got a redesign with large fluorescent yellow panels.
I covered the launch in a social media video you can watch below. The public reaction was mixed, but that often happens when emergency services (police, fire, or ambulance) introduce a new look. This time, many people compared the Belgian police uniforms to those worn by their Dutch neighbors.
@prettybusiness Belgium gets a new police uniform! The officers will start wearing these from the end of 2026/beginning of 2027. #belgium #belgium🇧🇪 #belgiumpolice #police #uniform #workwear #officer #policeofficer #karinslegers #designer
♬ origineel geluid – Aileen | workwear & uniform
The new Belgian police uniform deemed “too Flemish”
Like any new uniform, this one went through a testing phase. Between July 15 and October 15, thirteen police zones tried the new design. To cut costs, the uniforms carried only the Dutch word “politie”, without a French translation. That decision angered French-speaking officers, who refused to wear them.
The dark-blue and yellow color scheme also sparked controversy. Many critics link those colors to Flanders, as the Flemish government’s logo features a black lion on a yellow background.
Belgium’s Minister of the Interior, Bernard Quintin, later voiced doubts about the project, mainly due to its cost. He said he had “inherited a fragile legal and financial framework, especially considering the current budget challenges.” Although he admitted that some regions reacted positively, Quintin said he was not legally required to continue the rollout.
He also criticized the decision to give French-speaking police uniforms labeled only in Dutch. According to him, Flemish officers wouldn’t appreciate uniforms marked “Police” in French either. Quintin downplayed the color debate, saying the real issue was financial, not linguistic.
The psychology behind police uniform colors
Outfitting 45,000 officers is a costly operation. And with some regions still struggling to replace vehicles, it’s understandable that the Minister hesitates to move forward.
What stands out to me, though, is how the French-speaking side links the color choice to Flanders. While it’s true that the Flemish government uses those tones in its branding, the combination of fluorescent yellow and dark blue is far from unique. Police in the Netherlands, Germany, and France also wear similar colors.
tesThat’s no coincidence. Psychological research shows that people associate dark uniforms with strength and authority. Yet, fully dark outfits can also create negative impressions. For that reason, experts recommend mixing dark and light tones. Fluorescent shades improve visibility, making bright yellow and dark blue both practical and strategic.
In my view, the decision to use dark blue and fluorescent yellow has little to do with Flemish identity. It’s simply a smart, functional design choice backed by psychology.
Best,
Aileen