National Police Corps (Netherlands)
The National Police Corps, known colloquially in English as the Dutch National Police or the National Police Force, is the centralised, national law enforcement agency of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and its sole police force. Constituted under the provisions of the Police Act 2012, the Corps functions as a single and unified police organisation operating under the political authority of the Minister of Justice and Security.
The National Police Corps is charged with the maintenance of public order, the enforcement of criminal law, the investigation and prevention of crime, and the provision of assistance in emergencies. It possesses general competence over the entire territory of the Netherlands and is vested with both administrative and judicial police powers.
It is divided in ten regional units, two national units, the police academy, police services center, and national dispatch center cooperation. The law-enforcement purposes of these agencies are the investigation of suspected criminal activity, referral of the results of investigations to the courts, and the temporary detention of suspected criminals pending judicial action. Law enforcement agencies, to varying degrees at different levels of government and in different agencies, are also commonly charged with the responsibilities of deterring criminal activity and preventing the successful commission of crimes in progress. The police commissioner in the Netherlands is Janny Knol since March 1, 2024.
Besides police officers, the Netherlands has about 23,500 peace officers. These officers have a Special Enforcement Officer status or BOA/Handhaving in Dutch and therefore have police powers. They can be found within the transport police, game wardens and local enforcement agencies. The majority of BOA officers have the authority to carry and use handcuffs which can only be issued to officers who have the power to use force. A few councils also issue their officers, with permission from the Ministry of Justice and Security, police batons, pepper spray and occasionally firearms.
Their task depends on their area of operation. A game warden enforces nature laws, while a local enforcement officer enforces local ordinances and municipal code infractions. In 2018 unions were concerned with the increase of violence against these officers and had decided to make the consideration towards whether they would equip all these officers with the less-lethal weapons, batons and pepper spray, or make them part of the national police force.
History
The Dutch National Police has a long and diverse history, having undertaken many major reforms in its history, the latest being in 2012 with the introduction of one police force. Below, you will find a timeline of the Dutch National Police's history.1581–1812
The Dutch Police history starts in 1581, with the formation of the Dutch Republic. A simple police organization was created without clear tasks and powers. This stayed the same until 1810, when Napoleon annexed the Netherlands to the French Empire and started to set up a police force according to similar reforms elsewhere. Cities could free up money for a schout ; for towns this was a Veldwachter.1813–1939
The Netherlands regained its independence in 1813 and a year later King William I established the Corps de Marechaussee. The corps had twelve hundred employees and was a branch of the armed forces. It performs military tasks for the armed forces and non-military tasks for the Rijkspolitie. In 1858, in addition to the Marechaussee, the Korps Rijksveldwacht was created with fourteen hundred employees. This force focused on public order in rural areas. In addition to the two corps, there was also a Gemeentepolitie with eleven thousand employees, Politietroepen with sixteen hundred employees, and the Gemeenteveldwacht.1940–1993
During the Second World War there was a Reichskommissar fur die Niederlande, Arthur Seyss-Inquart. The entire police force numbered about twenty thousand employees. After the war, this service is disbanded. To restore and control public order, the government decided to set up a new police organization in November 1945. A distinction was made between the Gemeentepolitie for designated municipalities, and the Rijkspolitie for the rest of the country.1994–Present
The split disappeared in 1994, when the Police Act of 1993 took effect. After a major reorganization, the Rijkspolitie and Gemeentepolite were merged into 25 Regiokorpsen and the Korps Landelijke Politiediensten. Each corps worked autonomously. This structure lasted until January 1, 2013. From that day on, the police have been one organization, the Korps Nationale Politie, divided into ten Regionale Eenheden, a Landelijke Eenheid, a Politieacademie, and the Politiedienstencentrum that handles personnel. From then on, one Commissioner of police has directed police in the Netherlands. Since then, the police have started a new temporary branch for a joint dispatch center transition to one national system, known as the Landelijke Meldkamer Samenwerking, and also split the Landelijke Eenheid into two national units on January 1, 2024, one for expertise and operations, and one for investigation and interventions. The split was due to the unit being too big and diverse in its tasks for employees to progress, additionally the large spread of tasks made some services not get along, creating a negative work environment, the Schneiders Committee reported this decision because it would create clear separation and space to focus on specialized tasks.Organization
In 2013 the police in the Netherlands was reorganized into its current structure with only minor changes since. The structure contains ten regional units, two national units, the police academy, the police services center, and the national dispatch center cooperation, all under one national police. Additionally, the police leadership has a small council and staff. Below, you find a list of all the units in detail.Regional Units
The Netherlands is geographically divided by ten regional police units. These ten regional units are equal to the ten districts of the Public Prosecutors Office and courts. Each regional unit is divided in other layers of leadership and responsibilities, as described below.| Unit | Service area |
| Noord-Nederland | Provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe |
| Oost-Nederland | Provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel |
| Midden-Nederland | Provinces of Utrecht and Flevoland |
| Noord-Holland | Province of Noord-Holland, except for Amsterdam |
| Amsterdam | City of Amsterdam |
| Den Haag | Province of Zuid-Holland, around the city of The Hague |
| Rotterdam | Province of Zuid-Holland, around the city of Rotterdam |
| Zeeland West-Brabant | Province of Zeeland, western part of the province of Noord-Brabant |
| Oost-Brabant | Eastern part of the province of Noord-Brabant |
| Limburg | Province of Limburg |
Jurisdiction
Employees of regional units that hold law enforcement authority have jurisdiction across the entire country.Tasks at regional level
At the administrative level of the regional unit, some of the following tasks are executed;- Public affairs
- Internal Affairs
- Forensics investigation
- Criminal investigations that are too large or complicated for districts, like organized crime, homicides or district crossing investigations
- Prisoner transport and court police
- Police dispatch
- Traffic police
- Riot control
- dog | Police dog handlers]
Districts
Each regional unit is divided in districts. There are 43 districts across all regional units. A district is led by a Commissioner.Tasks at a district level
- Criminal investigations of crimes that are too large of complex for the Basisteams
- Flexteams that provide temporary support to the Basisteams
- District intelligence units
Basisteams
A Basisteam is the smallest organizational unit within the regional unit. A Basisteam is responsible for basic police work within a small geographic area. A basisteam is led by a Chief Inspector and has at least one building that serves as a public police station.Tasks at the Basisteam level
- Patrol and incident response
- Community policing
- Public order at events and nightlife
- Criminal investigation for 'common crimes' such as shoplifting, other small thefts, assault and domestic violence
National Unit Expertise & Operations (LX)
The National Expertise and Operations Unit builds a strengthened national intelligence picture by operating at a national level. Its main goal is to increase and strengthen the operational strength of the police. The unit makes high-quality knowledge, skills, intelligence/information, technology, and equipment available to other units and, where possible, to other security partners. In addition, it carries out broad police tasks on the main infrastructure, with specialist animals, and in the domain of VIP protection. This is done in consultation with the regional units. The police chief is Inge Godthelp. She is supported by the unit leadership and a staff. The LX has five services listed below.Dienst Landelijk Operationeel Centrum (National Operational Center Service)
The National Operational Center Service is the heart of the management of all current operations and ensures overview and coherence. To this end, the Operational Center permanently has a complete and up-to-date operational picture: what is going on in society and what people and resources do the police have available? This way, the Operational Center can make adjustments if necessary and tailor the police force to the security situation at that time.Intelligence LX
The intelligence department performs specific, national tasks such as international information exchange and national information coordination. The departments also provide an overview and insight into the national security situation for operational police work. The service within the police also functions as a contact point for Europol, Interpol and Dutch liaison officers who work abroad on behalf of the police. In addition, the Intelligence LX fulfils the intelligence function for the domains within the LX.Dienst Specialistische Operaties (Specialist Operations Service)
The Specialist Operations Service provides operational support and high-quality innovation to the Dutch police. With its many specialist tasks, the service strengthens the regional and national units. Some of the services, among others, are the mounted police, search and specialist animals, the specialists of the National Forensic Service Center and the Network of Expertise Teams.Dienst Infrastructuur (Infrastructure Service)
The Infrastructure Service combats insecurity and crime on the Dutch main infrastructure: on the highways, waters, rails and in aviation. The service also provides helicopter air support to increase the effectiveness of the police.Dienst Koninklijke en Diplomatieke Beveiliging (Royal and Diplomatic Protection Service)
The police monitor and protect people, objects and services at a national, regional, and local level. These security measures are well coordinated. As the threat increases or the security task becomes more complex, the measures to be taken also increase. In such situations, the Royal and Diplomatic Protection Service takes on a more prominent role and provides support with specific expertise and special resources. The service does this in close collaboration with the National Coordinator for Counter terrorism and Security, and the Public Prosecution Service.National Unit Investigation & Interventions (LO)
The National Unit Investigation & Interventions works at a national and international level to combat serious and organized crime, terrorism, and cybercrime. In addition, the unit supports the police throughout the Netherlands with special interventions and secret operations. The unit does this in close cooperation with the regional units and partners. The police chief is Rob van Bree. He is supported by the unit leadership and a staff. The LO has four services listed below.Dienst Landelijke Recherche (National Criminal Investigation Service)
The National Criminal Investigation Service combats serious and organized crime. But also, specific phenomena such as environmental crime, terrorism, and high-tech crime. In addition, the service is the official national investigative agency if Dutch people, or Dutch property outside of national borders become involved in or are the target of attacks or serious, organized crime activities.Intelligence LO
The intelligence service contributes to the management and enrichment of criminal investigations, priorities and choices within the unit. They also enrich insight into phenomena and forms of crime. In addition, the intelligence LO fulfils the intelligence function within domains such as the intelligence service, secret operations and other partnerships.Afgeschermde Operaties (Hidden Operations)
Hidden Operations carries out shielded, covert operations in support of criminal investigations and provides advice for criminal investigations. various teams carry out work for the regional units, the VIP Security system, the Rijksrecherche, the Royal Marechaussee, the RST and the BODs. In addition, Hidden Operations collaborates with intelligence services and international partners.Dienst Speciale Interventies (Special Intervention Service)
The Special Intervention Service combats all forms of serious violence and terrorism. The Police Arrest and Support Teams are part of this service. They act if it can reasonably be assumed that there are circumstances that are life-threatening for the police or others. They are the counterterrorism unit of the country.Police Services Center (PDC)
The operational management of the police: finances, facility maintenance, information management, IT, communication, and human resources are organized nationally in the Police Services Center. It supports operational police work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Business operations staff do this from the PDC or, where necessary, in the field. Business operations provide the products and services that operational officers need to be able to work. By taking care of business operations, officers within the units have more time for actual police work. The Police services center has three locations in Rotterdam, Zwolle, and Eindhoven.National Dispatch Center Cooperation (LMS)
The Landelijke Meldkamer Samenwerking or LMS is a relatively independent division of the police. The LMS manages and operates 10 shared regional dispatch centers. Each dispatch center houses police, ambulance services, fire brigade, and military police operators. If one center cannot operate another center can take over. These centers receive calls to 112 that automatically get directed to the national dispatch center, then they get put through to the right region. From there an operator asks and puts you through to the right service section in the building, the operator of that service directs the units to the location and gives them details as they come in, the operator also sees the units locations to be able to choose the closest units. The operator also determines if the situation is an emergency, and what priority the situation is, there are three priorities.List of dispatch centers
Coming soonRanks and rank insignia
The daily police uniform has slide-on ranks, partly for quick replacement, while dress and parade uniforms have fixed, more professional ranks. Within the Dutch police the following ranks are in use:| Rank / rank insignia | First Chief Commissioner | Chief Commissioner | Commissioner | Chief Inspector | Inspector | Sergeant |
| Epaulette | 100px | 100px | 100px | 100px | 100px | 100px |
| Slide-on | 100px | 100px | 100px | 100px | 100px | 100px |
| Rank / rank insignia | Senior Constable | Constable | Police Patrol Officer | Police Trainee | Employee with limited law enforcement authority | Employee with limited law enforcement authority |
| Epaulette | 100px | 100px | 100px | 100px | ||
| Slide-on | 100px | 100px | 100px | 100px | 100px | 100px |
Employees with limited law enforcement authority
Some employees of the police perform a specialized task within the organization and did not fulfill the regular, complete education. They can exercise their law enforcement authority only when this in direct relation to their specific task. Legally they are considered 'Buitengewoon Opsporingsambtenaar' according to article 142 of the Criminal Procedures Code. These employees can be recognized by having the police logo as their rank insignia. Examples of these employees include;- Prisoner transport, holding facility staff and court police
- Traffic enforcement employees who solely operate mobile speed cameras
- Service and intake employees, who take reports and assist citizens at the desk of their police station
- Security employees
Equipment
Dutch police officers carry the following equipment:- Walther P99Q-NL handgun
- Pepperspray
- Expandable baton
- Handcuffs by SHN and LIPS
- Taser X2 stun gun
- Handheld radio on the national C2000 digital radio network
The stun guns are only used by officers that work in a first responder position and are trained to use them.
Specialized equipment
- Heckler & Koch MP5, used by officers in specific teams tasked with temporary protection of objects
- SIG-Sauer MCX, used by the Special Intervention Service
Training and education
The Police Academy is responsible for training and educating new employees. There are several programs available. A candidate must first apply to an open position and be hired before he can start.During their education, trainees are employed at the police so they receive salary during their training.
Basic police officer training
The regular, basic police officer education takes two years and is comparable to a college degree. During the education, the trainee holds the rank of Aspirant. After nine months of full-time education, the trainee will combine studying at the police academy with learning on the job by a certified field training officer. After successfully completing the two-year course, the trainee will be promoted to the rank of Agent. In the next two years the employee will have to finish certain assignments to broaden his knowledge and experience, after which they are promoted to Hoofdagent.Bachelor of Policing
The bachelor of policing course prepares trainees for leadership positions within the organization. Just like the basic training, this course is a dual education course which means the trainee is both attending police academy and learning on the job. The bachelor's degree takes three years and applicants must already have a bachelor's degree before starting their education. Trainees hold the rank of Aspirant during their education, after which they are promoted to Brigadier. Within a few years of good performance they will be promoted to Inspecteur.Specialized courses
The Police Academy has several educational courses to train employees that will perform limited police tasks. Their training is limited and custom made for their specific duties. After finishing their course, employees can exercise their law enforcement authorities only within the scope of their specific tasks. Their limited law enforcement authority is signified by them having the police emblem on their shoulder, rather than a rank designation.Vehicles
The Dutch National Police uses a variety of motor vehicles for its tasks. Each vehicle is purchased via a tender procedure.Equipment
Each marked police vehicle is equipped with emergency lights and sirens, custom push navigation, a radio system, and a defibrillator. Vehicles that are primarily used for patrol and incident response duties are equipped with partially armored front doors, a megaphone and a modified suspension.
Driving training
Each police officer that must be able to drive in a police vehicle and drive with lights and sirens or deviate from the traffic rules in any other way must successfully follow a 4-day basic driving course. In this training the officer learns defensive driving, driving above the speed limit and how to safely deviate from the traffic rules, both with and without the use of lights and sirens. Officers need to take a refreshing course at least once every three years. Officers that perform specialized tasks with specialized vehicles, like traffic police or driving a riot van, have to do additional driving training.
Non-exclusive list of current police vehicles
| Type | Version | In use since | Comments |
| BMW X1 | sDrive 18i | 2025 | Patrol and incident response |
| Ford Kuga | 2.5l EcoBoost | 2025 | Patrol and incident response |
| Mercedes-Benz B-Class | B200 D | 2017 | Patrol and incident response. |
| Volkswagen Touran | 2.0 TDI | 2010 | 2 versions: one for patrol and incident response, one for dog handlers. |
| Volkswagen Golf | 1.5 eTSI | 2022 | Patrol and neighborhood policing. Lacks armored doors and some equipment. |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Electric | 2022 | Patrol and incident response. 8 vehicles to test electric vehicles in policing. |
| Type | Version | In use since | Comments |
| Audi A6 | Electric/diesel hybrid | 2015 | Traffic and highway patrol. Designated as "fast intervention vehicle". Requires specialist driving course. Will be replaced by the Mercedes-Benz E450D in 2026. |
| Audi A6 | Electric/diesel hybrid | 2021 | Traffic and highway patrol. Does not require specialist driving course. |
| Type | Version | In use since | Comments |
| Mercedes-Benz Vito | 116 cdi | 2017 | Patrol and incident response. Equipped with partially armored doors, search lights and a compartment to transport a suspect. |
| Volkswagen Transporter bike vehicle | 2.0 TDI | 2022 | Used by bicycle units. Double cabin version with extended cargo area to transport up to three bicycles. Equipped with partially armored doors, search lights and a compartment to transport bicycles. |
| Volkswagen Transporter | 2.0 TDI | 2010 | Patrol and incident response. |
| Mercedes-Benz Vito | 113 cdi | 2017 | Patrol. Downsized version with a smaller engine, no armored doors and less equipment. Recognizable by having two small emergency lights on its roof. |
| Mercedes-Benz Vito | 116 cdi | 2017 | Dog handler vehicle. Has a shorter wheelbase and two dog crates in the rear. |
| Mercedes-Benz Vito prisoner transport | 116 cdi | 2017 | Specialized vehicle used to transport up to 5 detained suspects. |
| Fiat Ducato prisoner transport | 160 hp | 2017 | Specialized vehicle used to transport up to 7 detained suspects. |
Announced vehicles
| Type | Version | Will be introduced | Comments |
| Mercedes-Benz E-class | E450d | 2026 | Will replace the Audi A6. |
| Škoda Enyaq | Electric | End of 2025 | Patrol and incident response. Will perform the same tasks as the BMW X1 and Ford Kuga. |
| Cupra Born | Electric | 2026 | Patrol and neighborhood policing. Will replace the Volkswagen Golf. |
Aircraft
| Type | Amount | Comments |
| Airbus EC-135 | 6 | Used for aerial surveillance and air support |
| AgustaWestland AW139 | 3 | Used for air support and transport of Special Intervention Service. |
Unmarked vehicles
There is a wide variety of unmarked vehicles in use for various tasks.
Tasks
Since 2012, the new Dutch Police Law passed. The article which describes the police, has been changed from article 2, to article 3.Article 3 of the Dutch Police law describes what the missions of the police are: "The task of the police is to, in subordination to the authorities and complying with applicable law, take care of the actual upholding of the legal order and to supply aid to those who need it." In practice this comes down to four main missions.
- Prevention
- Investigation of crimes and offences
- Upholding the legal order
- Supplying assistance to civil authorities
Communications center
All calls to the national police number 0900-8844 come in around the clock.Systems in use
For a number of years, the communications centers have used the Gemeenschappelijk Meldkamer Systeem. This system has a lot of functions. In the first place it functions as a plotting screen which displays every unit logged in. It also has a database function for procedures and phone numbers necessary for correctly executing police work and it links to the C2000 system and the CityGIS system.C2000 is the digital, secure communications system and, with CityGIS, police cars can be tracked on a map using GPS, which can be reported to the communications center using a VDO navigation system.
Basic police work
[Image:IMG 2565 Dutch police logo in stone Police museum Apeldoorn the Netherlands august 2006.JPG|thumb|Old Dutch police emblem in stone, in front of the entrance of the Dutch Police Museum]In the Netherlands basic police work consists of the following tasks:
- Visible public policing: being visibly present on the street, on foot or in a marked car, prevents people from committing offences and crimes.
- Basic detective work: investigating petty thefts and burglaries is part of basic police work; when the case takes up too much time, it is transferred to the special branch.
- Giving crime prevention advice: giving advice on how to deter burglaries, advising municipalities on traffic issues, consultancy, etc.
- Providing assistance: assistance is provided to those who ask for it but also to game wardens, municipalities and other civil authorities etc.
- Dealing with traffic issues: traffic surveillance, handling traffic accidents, advising citizens and municipalities, traffic congestion security.
- Maintaining laws and regulations : e.g., checking if foreigners are in possession of the right documents in cooperation with the immigration service.
- Special tasks: apart from daily activities a few special tasks are part of basic policing; these are executed independently or in conjunction with normal police activities, like the vice squad.
- National, regional investigations: investigating serious crimes such as murder, drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings, youth delinquency, arms trade, fraud, big environmental cases and sexual offences; the detectives are often supported by specialists.
- Information management: gathering and processing technical information and information about criminal organizations by for example the Criminele Inlichtingen Eenheid.
- Aliens: issuing residence permits and supervising people staying in the Netherlands who do not have Dutch citizenship.
- Environmental service: because environmental law is complex, this is a specialist mission. In several Dutch municipalities these tasks are entrusted to a special Milieupolitie.
- Operational support tasks: tasks that support basic law enforcement or specialist tasks, such as police horse and dog care, the Mobiele Eenheid, Aanhoudings- en Ondersteuningseenheid and observatieteams.
Sometimes police patrols drive directly from the communications center to the location where someone requested assistance. This can be a simple case of someone locking their keys inside their car, a complaint about litter or an inconveniently parked car. There are also more serious calls that need direct attention, like an accident with injuries, a stabbing, a burglary, vandalism; all events where the police have to act and reassure.
Surveillance is not only done from the patrol car, but also from a motorbike or a horse. Especially in crowded malls surveillance is often done on foot or bike. The men and women on the street have to permanently "keep their eyes open" to spot suspicious behaviour, such as someone walking around looking inside parked cars, cars without working lights or drunken cyclists.
Car owners are told that their lights are broken and why this is dangerous. A constable on foot may tell shop owners to put locks on their shelves outside to prevent shoplifting. If you report on a stolen bike, you will be told what kind of bike locks are most effective.
The police in a municipality are available 24 hours every day for basic law enforcement. More and more often the police will visit schools to teach pupils about drug prevention, vandalism or sex on the internet. The police in a municipality make sure that what is forbidden is not done, and that which is mandatory is actually done. They also make sure that anyone who asks for assistance gets it, supported by personnel from the district and the region. Since the early 90s several police regions have been working with neighborhood teams called neighborhood supervisors.
Powers
The police have powers "ordinary" people do not have; e.g., an officer can stop or arrest people, or look in a shopping bag for lifted items, or search a home for arms. The police also have the power to use force. This power is often called the "monopoly on force". The police are one of the few organisations in the Netherlands that are allowed to use force, the use of which is bound by many rules and preconditions.The power to stop someone is often confused with the power to arrest someone. The power to stop someone is the power of the police to make someone stand still, so that the police can ask for his name and address.
The power to arrest someone is the power to detain an individual and bring him/her before an prosecutor to decide on further prosecuting measures. However, this power is not only granted to the police. The Code of Criminal Procedure, article 53, sub 1, reads:
In the event of discovery in the act of a criminal offense, anyone is authorized to arrest the suspect.
The term "in the act" means "when it is happening". Only the police can arrest after the fact, and only with formal authorization from a prosecutor. Non-police arrests are executed by restraining the suspect while awaiting arrival of police.
The investigative powers of the police are for example described in the Police Law, the Arms and Munitions Law, the Opium Law, the Road Traffic Law 1994, the Law on Entry and the Code of Criminal Procedure.
These powers are bound by very strict rules. Some of these powers may be applied by an officer himself, like the examples before. Other police powers, like wiretapping, observation or searching premises, can only be used after permission is granted by the examining judge.
Cooperation with other services
When providing aid, the police cooperate with other services. When dealing with an accident for example, the police cooperate with ambulance services, doctors, fire brigade and Royal Marechaussee. In the event of serious emergencies, the police cooperate with the fire brigade, ambulance service, other government agencies and military forces in the security region corresponding to the police region. The police also work with international partners and are part of partnerships like the VGT and Interpol.''Slachtofferhulp''
For providing support to victims the police cooperate with Slachtofferhulp Nederland. The employees of Slachtofferhulp are specially trained to provide support to victims of accidents and crime. They make sure that victims are coached, but they also help with filling in forms for insurance or a lawyer.Continuing support
The police cooperates closely with support organisations that can continue providing support when the abilities of the police to do so come to an end. A few examples:- Addiction care like the Consultatiebureau voor Alcohol en Drugs, or Novadic-Kentron.
- Mental health Care
- The Reclassering Nederland
- The youth parole office
- The Raad voor de Kinderbescherming
- Social work, e.g., in case of domestic violence