National police

Less bureaucracy, more quality

More scope to do the job and a

dynamic presence on the streets

National police | August 2011

Making the Netherlands safer

‘A national police force will be established under the responsibility of the public safety minister.’

The above excerpt from the coalition agreement (October 2010) announced a major operation with far-reaching consequences for our police system: the creation of a national police force. The implementation of this plan has already begun. The new organisation is beginning to take shape, but not everyone is aware of this yet. Therefore, we would like to familiarise you with our plans for a more efficient and effective way of delivering public safety which gives individual police officers more scope to do their jobs.

In this leaflet you can read why a national police force is necessary and how the new organisation will be structured. With the help of the national police newsletter and the web portfolio at www.rijksoverheid.nl/nationalepolitie, you can stay informed about the formation of the national police force and other current police issues. This will give you an overview of the development of the national police force as it takes shape.

Ivo OpsteltenMinister of Security and Justice

Public safety and policing are key

The government wants to change the police organisation so that police officers can devote more time to safety on the streets. The plan is for the national police force to be up and running by 1 January 2012.

At present, the police is organised into 25 regional forces plus the Dutch Police Services Agency, each with its own chief. These will be replaced by a national police force, consisting of ten regional units. This has a number of advantages:• The police can work more as a single unit if everyone is

accountable to one national police commissioner.• The police can spend more time on street patrols and

investigative work.• There will be less red tape for both the police and the public.

(For example, reporting crimes will be made easier.)• Officers will spend more time on policing than on paperwork.• The various subdivisions of the police will be able to work

together more quickly and effectively, thanks primarily to automatisation.

• It will be possible to handle IT, housing, purchasing and HR centrally. This will lower operational management costs (i.e. overheads).

How is the national police force organised?The management hierarchy and the division of responsibilities will change. As of next year there will be a single national police force (comprising 10 regional units), one or more national units (such as a national crime squad) and the police service centre (a national agency for operational management tasks).

Minister of Security and JusticeThe Minister of Security and Justice is politically accountable for the national police. The Minister approves the budget and sets parameters within which the force will work, deciding issues such as whether there should be ticket quotas.

National Police CommissionerA single police commissioner will be in charge of the national force and its 10 regional units.

Regional unitsTen regional units will be created to handle policing. Each unit will be headed by its own chief.

One or more national unitsThere will be at least one national unit to handle police duties that can best be performed at national level (e.g. an arrest team and/or national crime squad).

Police service centreA police service centre will take over the operational manage-ment tasks of the current forces and the Dutch Police Cooperation Facility. These tasks include HR, housing, IT and financing.

Local authorityAuthority over the police will not change. As before, the mayor and the public prosecutor will make local agreements about the deployment of the police. Every municipality will draw up a public safety and security plan, on which basis the mayor will manage the police.

Progress of the billIn order for the national police force to become a reality, the Police Act 1993 must be replaced. To this end a bill was submit-ted to the House of Representatives in 2006. That bill is currently being amended. All official documents relating to this bill can be found on www.rijksoverheid.nl/nationalepolitie. The goal is for the national police force to be operational by 1 January 2012.

Stay informedNational police newsletterThe Ministry of Security and Justice publishes a regular newslet-ter on the latest developments surrounding the formation of the national police force and other relevant and topical police issues. The national government website contains a section on the police where you can find all relevant publications and the latest news (www.rijksoverheid.nl/nationalepolitie; Dutch only).

National police: Less bureaucracy, more qualityMore scope to do the job and a dynamic presence on the streets

Less bureaucracy:• Making it easier to report crimes• Speeding up standard cases• Reducing the number of forms and protocols

More quality• An organisation that functions as a unit• Responding quickly to the demands of the public

More scope to do the job• Police based close to the local community• Well-equipped and trained police officers• More scope for police work, less desk paperwork

A more dynamic presence on the street:• Transparent management structure: one minister and one

national police commissioner• Clear rules for deployment, on the basis of a locally approved

public safety and security plan

This is an issue of:The Ministry of Security and Justice Directoraat-generaal Police | Schedeldoekshaven 200Postbus 20011 | 2500 ea Den Haag

www.rijksoverheid.nl/VenJ

August 2011 | Publication-nr. j-10118

25 politieregio’s1 Groningen2 Fryslân3 Drenthe4 IJsselland5 Twente6 Noord- en Oost-Gelderland7 Gelderland-Midden8 Gelderland-Zuid9 Utrecht

10 Noord-Holland-Noord11 Zaanstreek-Waterland12 Kennemerland13 Amsterdam-Amstelland14 Gooi en Vechtstreek15 Haaglanden16 Hollands Midden17 Rotterdam-Rijnmond18 Zuid-Holland-Zuid19 Zeeland20 Midden- en West-Brabant21 Brabant-Noord22 Brabant-Zuid-Oost23 Limburg-Noord

24 Limburg-Zuid25 Flevoland

sse a d5 TwenteTT6 Noord- en Oost-Gelderland7 Gelderland-Midden8 Gelderland-Zuid9 Utrecht

10 Noord-Holland-Noord11 Zaanstreek-Waterland12 Kennemerland13 Amsterdam-Amstelland14 Gooi en Vechtstreek15 Haaglanden16 Hollands Midden17 Rotterdam-Rijnmond18 Zuid-Holland-Zuid19 Zeeland20 Midden- en West-Brabant21 Brabant-Noord22 Brabant-Zuid-Oost23 Limburg-Noord24 Limburg-Zuid25 Flevoland

2

6

3

1

4

5

97

8

20

23

22

21

10

25

16

19

17

24

12

15

11

18

13

14

Ede

Sluis

Emmen

Dronten

Hulst

Epe

Apeldoorn

Texel

Lelystad

Noordoostpolder

Coevorden

Lochem

Oss

Hardenberg

Berkelland

Raalte

Zeewolde

Veere

Bronckhorst

Rotterdam

Buren

Terneuzen

WesterveldZijpe

Ommen

Midden-Drenthe

Aa en Hunze

Dalfsen

Venray

Breda

Almere

Steenwijkerland

Borsele

Delfzijl

De Wolden

Opsterland

Voorst

Skarsterlân

Moerdijk

Kampen

Tynaarlo

Borger-Odoorn

De Marne

Dinkelland

Weert

Goes

Noordenveld

Barneveld

Aalten

Tilburg

Deurne

Zundert

Lopik

Zwolle

Amsterdam

Slochteren

Losser

Eemsmond

Ooststellingwerf

Deventer

Staphorst

Enschede

Dongeradeel

Hof van Twente

Lith

Wieringermeer

Arnhem

Tubbergen

Putten

Nijefurd

Zuidhorn

Venlo

Nunspeet

Bergeijk

Leek

Oirschot

Uden

Weststellingwerf

het Bildt

Winterswijk

Asten

Winsum

Boxmeer

Eersel

Utrecht

Boarnsterhim

Vlist

Heerenveen

Cuijk

Ermelo

Wierden

Bladel

Hellendoorn

Hoogeveen

Olst-Wijhe

Veghel

Loppersum

Steenbergen

Oldambt

Rheden

Heerde

Werkendam

Wymbritseradiel

Zederik

Drimmelen

Twenterand

Nijkerk

Peel en Maas

De Bilt

Littenseradiel

Oost Gelre

Haarlemmermeer

Tytsjerksteradiel

Woerden

Elburg

Boxtel

Gemert-Bakel

Montferland

Zaanstad

Zeist

Marum

Smallingerland

Roosendaal

Haren

Brummen

Overbetuwe

Assen

Westland

Heusden

Oldebroek

Dordrecht

Nederweert

Best

Bellingwedde

Eindhoven

Landerd

Maasdriel

Grootegast

Haaksbergen

Houten

Wijchen

Soest

Velsen

Reimerswaal

Hengelo

Strijen

Haaren

KorendijkZaltbommel

Lemsterland

Hilvarenbeek

Groningen

Leusden

Sint Anthonis

Neerijnen

Waalwijk

Bernisse

Echt-Susteren

Ferwerderadiel

Ameland

Horst aan de Maas

Geldermalsen

Rucphen

Aalburg

Oostflakkee

Beemster

Veendam

Dantumadiel

Rijssen-Holten

Oosterhout

Alphen-Chaam

Schermer

Castricum

Doetinchem

Lingewaard

Vianen

Oisterwijk

Halderberge

Lingewaal

Laarbeek

Noord-Beveland

NijmegenGoedereede

Sneek

Neder-Betuwe

Druten

Renkum

Baarle-Nassau

Reeuwijk

Baarn

Helmond

Delft

Heumen

Rhenen

Beuningen

Schijndel

Ten Boer

Almelo

Binnenmaas

Vaals

Boekel

Grave

Andijk

Weesp

Tholen

Vlagtwedde

Wûnseradiel

Tiel

Schouwen-Duiveland

Bernheze

Bergen (L.)

Terschelling

Someren

Niedorp

Stadskanaal

Pekela

Oude IJsselstreek

Franekeradeel

Woensdrecht

Nuth

Borne

Bergen (NH.)

Achtkarspelen

Goirle

Heeze-Leende

Utrechtse Heuvelrug

Leeuwarden

Gennep

Wijdemeren

Gaasterlân-Sleat

Bedum

Menterwolde

Heerlen

Maastricht

Zevenaar

Meppel

Dirksland

Graafstroom

Bunnik

Rijnwoude

Vught

Sittard-Geleen

Cranendonck

Middelharnis

Zeevang

Liesveld

Vlieland

Zwartewaterland

's-Hertogenbosch

Etten-Leur

Amersfoort

Opmeer

Cromstrijen

De Ronde Venen

Duiven

Gilze en Rijen

Zutphen

Waterland

Westvoorne

Breukelen

Drechterland

Hilversum

Gulpen-Wittem

Anna Paulowna

Margraten

Wassenaar

Stein

Roerdalen

Harenkarspel

Brielle

Abcoude

Kapelle

Menaldumadeel

Den Helder

Middelburg

Wormerland

Reusel-De Mierden

West Maas en Waal

Oudewater

Den Haag

Sint-Oedenrode

Giessenlanden

Montfoort

Woudrichem

Leudal

Loon op Zand

Haarlem

Roermond

Valkenswaard

Leerdam

Eemnes

Dongen

Beek

Aalsmeer

Groesbeek

Nieuwkoop

Bergen op Zoom

Beesel

Harderwijk

Maasdonk

Ubbergen

Lisse

Vlissingen

Hattem

NoordwijkLoenen

Eijsden

Kollumerland enNieuwkruisland

Zandvoort

Amstelveen

Koggenland

Bodegraven

Leiden

Heiloo

Veldhoven

Rijnwaarden

Teylingen

Alkmaar

Midden-Delfland

Waddinxveen

Geldrop-Mierlo

Katwijk

Wageningen

Maarssen

Nederlek

Sint-Michielsgestel

Voerendaal

Culemborg

Harlingen

Mill en Sint Hubert

Hoorn

Kaag en Braassem

Langedijk

Hoogezand-Sappemeer

Zoetermeer

Landgraaf

Ouderkerk

Kerkrade

Nieuwegein

Alphen aan den Rijn

Heemskerk

Meerssen

Wijk bij Duurstede

Spijkenisse

Bloemendaal

Laren

Pijnacker-Nootdorp

Wieringen

Maasgouw

Woudenberg

Waalre

Uitgeest

Naarden

Ridderkerk

Gouda

UithoornBunschoten

Heerhugowaard

Bergambacht

Schinnen

Rozendaal

Leeuwarderadeel

Schiermonnikoog

Schiedam

Purmerend

Landsmeer

Huizen

Hellevoetsluis

Appingedam

Zwijndrecht

Muiden

Schagen

Oostzaan

Beverwijk

Geertruidenberg

Ouder-Amstel

Wervershoof

Valkenburgaan de Geul

IJsselstein

Boskoop

Son enBreugel

Barendrecht

Urk

Onderbanken

Leidschendam-Voorburg

Vlaardingen

Zoeterwoude

HillegomNoordwijkerhout

Gorinchem

Brunssum

Doesburg

Enkhuizen

Veenendaal

Oud-Beijerland

Renswoude

DiemenOldenzaal

Graft-De Rijp

Simpelveld

Bolsward

Zuidplas

Sliedrecht

Scherpenzeel

Nuenen,Gerwen en

Nederwetten

Edam-Volendam

Stede Broec

Leiderdorp

Mook en Middelaar

Voorschoten

Lansingerland

Blaricum

Oegstgeest

Nieuw-Lekkerland

Haarlemmerliede en Spaarnwoude

Heemstede

Medemblik

MaassluisCapelle aanden IJssel

Hardinxveld-Giessendam

WestervoortSchoonhoven

Millingenaan de Rijn

Amsterdam

Bussum

Rijswijk

Albrandswaard

Krimpen aanden IJssel

Papendrecht

AlblasserdamHendrik- Ido-Ambacht

Bron: Ministerie van BZK

1 nationale politie met 10 regionale eenheden 1 Noord-Nederland 2 Oost-Nederland 3 Flevoland-Utrecht 4 Noord-West-Holland 5 Amsterdam 6 Haaglanden 7 Ro�erdam-Rijnmond 8 Zeeland - West-Brabant 9 Oost-Brabant 10 Limburg

4 Noord West Holland5 Amsterdam6 Haaglanden7 Ro�erdam-Rijnmond8 Zeeland - West-Brabant9 Oost-Brabant

10 Limburg

Apeldoorn

Lelystad

Ro�erdam

Breda

Almere

Tilburg

Zwolle

Amsterdam

Enschede

Arnhem

Venlo

Utrecht

Zaanstad

Assen

Dordrecht

Eindhoven

Groningen

Nijmegen

Leeuwarden

Maastricht

's-Hertogenbosch

Amersfoort

Hilversum

Middelburg

Den Haag

Haarlem

Leiden

Alkmaar

1

2

8

10

9

4

6

7

53

Bron: Ministerie van Veiligheid en Justitie

Now: 25 police regions

1. Groningen2. Fryslân3. Drenthe4. IJsselland5. Twente6. Noord- en Oost-Gelderland7. Gelderland-Midden8. Gelderland-Zuid9. Utrecht10. Noord-Holland-Noord11. Zaanstreek-Waterland12. Kennemerland13. Amsterdam-Amstelland14. Gooi en Vechtstreek15. Haaglanden16. Hollands Midden17. Rotterdam-Rijnmond18. Zuid-Holland-Zuid19. Zeeland20. Midden- en West-Brabant21. Brabant-Noord22. Brabant-Zuid-Oost23. Limburg-Noord24. Limburg-Zuid25. Flevoland (Source: Ministry of the Interior)

2012: A single national police force with 10 regional units

1. Noord-Nederland2. Oost-Nederland3. Flevoland-Utrecht4. Noord-West-Holland5. Amsterdam6. Haaglanden7. Rotterdam-Rijnmond8. Zeeland - West-Brabant9. Oost-Brabant10. Limburg