i-Police cost €139.4 million: “An absolute scandal”

The failed i-Police digitalisation project has cost taxpayers a staggering €139.4 million, according to a new audit by the Belgian Court of Audit. The report also exposes serious shortcomings in the project's management. “Wasting so much taxpayers’ money with nothing to show for it is an absolute scandal,” says MP Maaike De Vreese.

Millions spent, but no results to show for it

The audit confirms that substantial sums were committed early on, despite a lack of tangible results. The Federal Police spent €21.6 million on software licences that are now effectively worthless. Licences worth no less than €7.3 million were never even used. “Far too much money was committed far too quickly, with no demonstrable results in return. At a time when every euro counts, that is particularly hard to swallow,” De Vreese says.

The project also suffered from serious management failings. The Federal Police relied heavily on external consultants while its own IT department was severely understaffed. Of the 605 planned full-time positions, just 308 had been filled. What is more, the expertise already available in-house was not put to sufficient use.

“Public authorities need the in-house expertise and staff to manage projects of this complexity. Only then can they properly scrutinise suppliers and step in when results fail to materialise.”

Further scrutiny of political accountability

The Court of Audit does not determine who is responsible for the failure of i-Police. That question is also at the heart of ongoing legal proceedings.

“We will carefully compare the Court of Audit’s findings with previous statements. Former Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden must also provide the necessary clarification. We are not jumping to conclusions, but we do want answers to the questions that remain unresolved,” De Vreese stresses.

For the N-VA, the priority is to ensure that frontline police officers no longer have to bear the brunt of this failure. They need modern, reliable digital systems to tackle increasingly complex crime.

“This must not become yet another failed digitalisation project from which the authorities learn nothing. We need to invest in our own IT expertise, involve frontline officers and establish clear agreements with measurable results. Our police officers deserve better. It is time to put those lessons into practice,” De Vreese concludes.