Belgium Reforms Police After Dutroux Escape

May 25, 1998 - 0:0
BRUSSELS Belgian government and opposition parties agreed on Sunday to reform the police and justice system following last month's brief escape of reviled paedophile Marc Dutroux. The four centre-left government parties and four main opposition parties agreed to create a unified federal police force and a single district force, doing away with the military-style national gendarmerie and municipal police. The main change in the judiciary will be the creation of an independent high council which will supervise the legal system and appoint officials for seven years, ending the practice of politically inspired nominations for life.