Page 24 - Aanbevelingen om de integriteit

V. CORRUPTION PREVENTION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

Organisation and accountability of selected law enforcement authorities

Overview of various law enforcement authorities

111. There are seven national law enforcement agencies in the Netherlands. The National Police
of the Netherlands (NPN) and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (KMar) are responsible for
maintaining law and order and guarding safety and security, including border control. In addition,
there are four law enforcement agencies specialised in tax and financial fraud, billing fraud, safety of
food, environment and housing. The law enforcement agencies operate as separate organisational
structures under the responsibility of various ministries.

112. This report focuses on the NPN and the KMar, being the largest law enforcement agencies
and performing the main law enforcement duties under national legislation in the Netherlands. The
organisation and functions of the NPN and the KMar are regulated in the Police Act of 2012 as far as
policing in civil society is concerned. The NPN is under the authority of the Ministry of Justice and
Security. The KMar is a military service under the authority of the Ministry of Defence.

113. While being two distinct law enforcement agencies, there is also a framework in place for the
synergies between the NPN and KMar; a cooperation agreement establishes and promotes structural
and ad hoc cooperation between the two authorities, covering operational policing, integrity and
security matters and internal investigations.

114. In principle, both law enforcement agencies perform their duties under the responsibility of
the competent authority (Article 3, Police Act 2012). When enforcing criminal law, they act under the
authority of the Public Prosecutor. If the NPN or the KMar act to enforce public order or to provide
assistance in case of need, they are under authority of the relevant local authority (mayor of a city or
region).

The National Police of the Netherlands (NPN)

115. The National Police of the Netherlands (NPN) is a civil organisation, with its own legal
personality. It consists of ten regional units and a national unit (the Central Unit), the Police Services
Centre (finance, ICT, communications and HR support) and the Commissioner’s Staff (supporting the
leadership). In addition, the NPN has its own police academy which provides police training. The NPN
has 61 189 employees (64.4% men and 35.6 % women), of whom 40 523 (75% men and 25% women)
are in operational positions and 18 228 (44% men and 56 % women) are administrative/technical
staff. There are 1 008 managers (73% men and 27 % women). As further described below, the
Netherlands has a system in place for employing staff on the basis of better gender balance.

116. The NPN is led by a Commissioner, in charge of the operational management and
administration of the organisation. The Commissioner, who reports to the Minister of Justice and
Security, represents the police functionally and officially. The Commissioner leads the NPN through
the “Force Command”, which also consists of the Deputy Commissioner and three other members of
the leadership of the NPN.

117. The Police Act of 2012 launched a major reorganisation of the Dutch police, merging 25
regional forces into one national police force, consisting of 10 regional units and a Central Unit. The
Central Unit deals in particular with organised crime, terrorism and serious violence. It conducts
major operations, and ensures security and protection of the Royal House and other VIPs. The
integrity policy is also dealt with centrally. The 10 regional police units, each one managed by a chief
constable, deal with the day to day policing, enforcing the criminal law and maintaining public order

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