Police or enforcement agencies: who can help with which problem?

The police are an organisation responsible for ensuring safety in the Netherlands. The police help to uphold the law and maintain public order.

The police have two main tasks:

• Enforcing the law

• Helping people who need it

Who gives orders to the police?

The police work under the government. However, when it comes to public order within a municipality, the police fall under the authority of the

The police have various roles:

• Protecting: this means that the police protect people, their freedom and their property. In the event of immediate danger, the police may intervene.

• Restricting: this means that the police put a stop to behaviour that is not permitted. For example, violence, serious public nuisance or criminal activity.

• Working together: this means that the police work together with residents, municipalities, businesses and organisations. Together, they aim to improve safety.

What do the police do?

• The police provide assistance in the event of danger, crime and criminal offences. For example, in cases of violence, theft, burglary, threats or accidents.

• The police also deal with offences and crimes. These include, for example, theft, violence, threats, neighbourhood disputes or other forms of crime.

• The police also help people in distress. For example, in the event of an accident, a danger on the street or any other emergency.

• The police can carry out an investigation. Sometimes the police may arrest someone. You can also report the matter to the police if a criminal offence has been committed.

What is a police officer allowed to do?

A police officer has special powers. This means that a police officer is allowed to do certain things that other people are not allowed to do. For example, a police officer is allowed to:

• Check your ID

• Check your bag

• Stop and question you

• Arrest you

• Drive faster in traffic

• Drive with flashing lights and a siren

• Use violence in certain situations

• Carry out an investigation in a home with permission

• Tap a phone in certain situations

• Observe someone in certain situations.

Strict rules

The police cannot simply exercise these powers. Strict rules apply.

There are some things a police officer is allowed to decide on their own. For example, stopping someone or asking to see their ID. There must, however, be a valid reason for doing so.

More far-reaching powers may only be exercised with the consent of the public prosecutor or the investigating judge. For example:

• Tapping a phone

• Observing someone over a longer period of time

• Searching a property.

The police must always abide by the law.

What is a police officer not allowed to do?

A police officer has a lot of powers. But a police officer cannot simply do whatever they like. The police must always abide by the law. For example, a police officer cannot simply:

• Ask to see your ID without a valid reason

• Use violence when it is not necessary

• Use more force than is necessary

• Search your home without permission

• Tap your phone without permission

• Follow or observe someone for a prolonged period without their consent

• Arrest someone without legal grounds

• Share personal information without good reason

• Treat someone differently on the basis of their origin, religion, skin colour, gender or opinion

Strict rules also apply to the use of force. The police may only use force if there is no other appropriate solution. The use of force must be proportionate to the situation.

The police therefore have a wide range of powers, but may only exercise them in accordance with the law.

Enforcement means that the government checks whether people and organisations are complying with the rules. In many municipalities, enforcement officers work on the streets. They are often referred to as 'BOAs'. BOA stands for 'buitengewoon opsporingsambtenaar' (special investigating officer).

Enforcement officers pay particular attention to rules in the neighbourhood and on the streets. For example:

• Waste

• Parking

• Disturbance

• Permits

• Rules in a park.

If someone breaks a rule, the enforcement authorities may take action. Sometimes the person is given a warning first. Sometimes they may also be fined.

Businesses may also be subject to enforcement action. For example, if a business fails to comply with environmental regulations.

Enforcement is therefore intended to ensure that people follow the rules. This helps to keep the neighbourhood safer, cleaner and more liveable.

Types of enforcement officers

There are various types of enforcement officers. The duties of an enforcement officer depend on their area of work and their powers.

A well-known type of enforcement officer is the BOA (special investigating officer). A special investigating officer is authorised to take action in the case of certain offences. In some cases, a special investigating officer may also issue a fine.

There are also neighbourhood enforcement officers. They work in a specific neighbourhood. They often know the area well and are a familiar sight to residents and business owners.

In addition, there are enforcement officers with specific responsibilities. For example, officers who monitor parking, the environment, public transport, education, healthcare, or work and income.

Duties of an enforcement officer

An enforcement officer may have various duties. For example:

• Monitoring public spaces

• Confronting people about behaviour that is not acceptable

• Explaining the rules

• Issuing warnings

• Issuing fines

• Helping with nuisance issues

• Working with the police and the municipality

• Providing supervision at events.

What is an enforcement officer allowed to do?

An enforcement officer has special powers. Exactly what an enforcement officer is permitted to do depends on their role, training and area of work. For example, an enforcement officer may:

• Check whether people are following the rules

• Confront someone about behaviour that is not acceptable

• Stop and question someone

• Ask for proof of identity

• Draw up an official report

• Issue a fine

• Arrest a suspect in certain situations.

Some law enforcement officers have additional powers. For example, they are authorised to carry out body searches or use handcuffs in certain situations. This is only permitted under strict conditions.

What is an enforcement officer not allowed to do?

An enforcement officer is not permitted to do everything that the police are allowed to do. What an enforcement officer is permitted to do depends on their role, training and area of work. For example, an enforcement officer is not simply allowed to:

• Search a property

• Tap a phone

• Follow or observe someone for a long time

• Carry out the entire investigation themselves in cases of serious crime

• Use violence without authorisation

• Use handcuffs, a baton or pepper spray without authorisation

• Operate outside one’s own area of responsibility.

An enforcement officer may therefore only carry out the duties specified within his or her remit. These powers are set out in an official document.

A police officer undertakes training at the Police Academy. The police training programme at

• To apply the law

• To help people in emergencies

• To take action in the event of criminal offences

• To resolve conflicts

• To conduct investigations

• To act safely in difficult situations.

There are also police training programmes at higher professional education (HBO) level. The

A BOA (special investigating officer) first undertakes basic training. They then sit an exam. During their training, a special investigating officer learns, for example:

• Which laws and regulations apply

• How to address people

• How to draw up an official report

• How to spot offences

• What a special investigating officer is and is not allowed to do.

Some special investigating officers are subject to additional training requirements. This depends on their area of work and their powers.

Is it a case of litter, broken street lights, nuisance behaviour on the street or illegal parking? If so, you can usually report it to your municipality. The municipality can then assess whether enforcement action is required.

Is there an immediate danger? If so, call the police on 112. For example, in the event of violence, an accident, a fire or a crime taking place at that very moment.

Is it not an emergency but you do need the police? Then call 0900-8844. For example, if you want to report a crime or something suspicious.

Not sure where to go? First, check whether there is any immediate danger. If there is immediate danger, always call 112.

You can read more about safety in the Netherlands in this article.