1914-1918 : The occupation
In March 1915, Belgian and German police officers patrol side by side in Brussels. For the German authorities, the question was set from the very beginning of the occupation: how to maintain order with a minimum number of men? The answer was soon found by seeking the participation of local institutions, resulting in the cooperation between Belgian and German administrations.
During the first months of the German occupation, local officials frankly opposed the occupiers. This resistance was symbolized by the attitude of mayor Adolphe Max, who was arrested and deported to Germany. In daily practice things were nevertheless different: the Brussels police continued to do its job, receiving orders from the Belgian hierarchy but applying German regulations. This cooperation of occupiers and occupied reached its culmination in a new organisation called Sittenpolizei, which was charged with controlling prostitution.
