News item | 30-06-2022 | 9:00 am
The National Police Unit will be transformed into two units. One aimed at national operations and expertise and one for national investigations. In addition, measures are taken to structurally change the work culture and leadership within the organization. For example, Minister Yeşilgöz-Zegerius of Justice and Security informed the House of Representatives in response to the final advice of the Advisory Committee for National Unity, led by Mr. Schneiders.
Last year, the advisory committee was instructed by the minister to advise on improvements and the need for repositioning of the National Unit in the current police system in response to persistent problems within the National Unit.
Commission President Bernt Schneiders:
“In all the conversations we had, it became clear that police officers at the National Unit are extremely motivated to do their job well. This was not always possible due to the organizational structure. In particular, the realization of a safe working environment must be tackled quickly. Leaders must be able to devote time and attention to all colleagues in their team”.
Minister Yeşilgöz-Zegerius:
“Today we offer the police employees clarity about the future of the National Unit. An important step towards an organization with more focus and a recognizable profile that can handle today’s security issues. The police will work hard to change the organization and culture. I myself will remain closely involved and I have asked the Schneiders committee to monitor this process.”
Chief of Police Henk van Essen:
“The changes at the National Unit affect the entire police force. If only, because all units will benefit from the proper functioning of the new national units and they will work closely with them. In fact, the changes at the National Unit mark the start of the next phase of the formation of the National Police that started in 2013.”
To two units
The large amount of tasks within one unit is now getting in the way of the National Unit. The current organization of the National Unit ensures that the potential of employees is insufficiently utilized and that the human dimension and personal well-being have faded into the background. In addition, contemporary security threats, such as organized subversive crime and terrorism, require national units with more knowledge, skills and focus. The committee therefore recommends converting the National Unit into two national units, each with a coherent and distinctive set of tasks. One focuses on national operations and expertise tasks and one on national investigation of serious forms of organized crime and terrorism.
Change of work culture and leadership
A change in organizational structure should also go hand in hand with work culture and leadership measures to bring about improvements in the workplace. That is why the committee recommends explicitly formulating desirable and undesirable behaviour, drawing up appropriate leadership profiles and examining current managers. The committee points out that it is inevitable that there will be managers who are unwilling or unable to participate in the culture change and a different form of leadership.
Organisation development
In addition, the committee advises the chief of police to set up two national units that are agile, data-driven and stimulate innovation and professional development. In addition, the Committee recommends that the public prosecutors be properly positioned with regard to the national unit for national investigations by setting up a strategic consultation table. The committee also recommends strengthening the view of the National Security and Police Consultation (LOVP) on both national units.
Continuation
The minister has adopted the committee’s recommendations and has instructed the chief of police to draw up a transition plan that will be ready by 1 October 2022. The minister has asked the Schneiders Committee to monitor the changes from the transition plan next year.