In this article we will explain the role and position of the police in restorative practices
looking at current practice within our local police area. The police force of Louvain has chosen to link a specific restorative method – victim-offender mediation in minor offences – to a specific function. Since 2003, Police Mediation (PM) has been available within the local police and therefore, the police mediator is a part of the police force. Police Mediation provides an offer of mediation (done by a neutral mediator) to victims and offenders of minor offences and focuses on repairing the effects of the offence before the case is presented to the prosecutor. Although this is a specific and well defined
function, there remain needs for well structured support and the cooperation of the entire police service. This support is not only logistical; the whole idea of restorative justice needs to be supported by the police force. In the first chapter, we will therefore search for the possible theoretical foundations of Police Mediation...