The community service sentences imposed after riots in which two agents and a police horse were injured are not far enough. That is what a spokesperson for the Dutch police association thinks. The riots were between fans of RKC Waalwijk and Ajax in September last year.
Last week it was announced that eight fans of RKC Waalwijk received community service sentences from 150 to 240 hours. Anyone who will go wrong again in the next three years, has to go to jail for two months. They also received an access ban for the stadium in Waalwijk.
Commitments
The Dutch police association does not agree with the penalties. “The minister has made commitments with regard to violence against agents. There would be fast rights and no more community service sentences. There are work agreements about this with the Public Prosecution Service and with the judiciary. We want those agreements to be met,” says a spokesperson for the union.
“In the case of violence against the police where colleagues are even injured, prison sentence should be the norm. Too often the judge opts for a different punishment. The case law is of course free to do customization. But a community service should not be the standard, “said the spokesperson.
Work and Family
At the session, last Friday in Breda, the police judge indicated that he could also have given the wheel turners unconditional prison. He did not do that because everyone had expressed regret and because it is also important for the wheel turners to maintain the work and the families.
“The agents also have a family,” says the spokesperson for the Dutch police association. “A suspect must think very carefully in advance about the consequences of their actions. I think they’ll get away with this. “
Stand up
According to the VVD councilor Milos Boksan, who was present in the stadium during the game, it is important that society sets a standard. “The judge’s decision is a fact, we are not going to question it. I think that community service sentences for violence against agents cannot be explained. Then you should simply go into the bowl unconditionally. It is then the task of Politiek The Hague to adjust the law, “says Boksan.
“We should not only think about the consequences for the perpetrators of violence, but also consider the impact on the victims. I think it is the task and duty of the legislator to state the standard that as a rioter you will not get away with community service, “says Boksan.