This article critically examines the legitimacy of systematic identity checks under Article 34 §3 of the
Law on the Functioning of the Police. Over the past decade, identity checks have come under public
scrutiny, following the 2015-2016 terrorism threats in Belgium, reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch and recent academic literature. Despite this, the impact and scale of systematic identity checks remain unclear. The authors explore the concept of systematic identity checks, using their empirical data to examine its legal framework, historical context, and current applications. The article provides a critical assessment of the impact of these identity checks on police legitimacy, procedural justice, and distributive justice. The results show that the discretionary power of systematic identity checks may lead to disproportionate policing and may undermine trust in the police. The lack of transparency and police data makes it difficult to monitor their use and to assess their effectiveness.