From February, police chief Wilbert Paulissen wants to focus on, among other things, the visibility of local police officers as deputy chief of police at the national police. “Bringing community police officers back into the neighborhood is one of the topics I want to sink my teeth into,” he says in Omroep Brabant’s new talk show VRIJDAG. The talk show, presented by Anne-Marie Fokkens, can be seen every week from this Friday.
In the broadcast, presenter Anne-Marie speaks with police chief Paulissen about his career in East Brabant and his goals in his new position. The presenter also speaks with bodybuilder Wesley Vissers about good intentions and is made enthusiastic about carnival by Björn van der Doelen.
Watch the FRIDAY broadcast here:
Wilbert Paulissen is currently still police chief of the East Brabant unit. From February 1, he will become deputy chief of police at the national police. “It has been quite a process,” he says about the switch. “I am now 62 and thought this would be my last position. But when this new opportunity came along, I started to get the itch on all sides.”
What the police chief remembers most about his work in Brabant is the death of colleague Jeroen Leuwerink. In 2020 he was killed while working on the N270 near Nuenen. “That really did something for the unity,” Paulissen reflects. “I find it difficult that you die at work due to such an accident. As a police officer you experience so much suffering, but this really felt different. It hit close to home for us as police.”
“There is much more than the police and judiciary can handle.”
As a chef in East Brabant, Paulissen has experienced a lot. Think of the corona crisis, curfew riots, increasing explosions and a severe staff shortage. He has seen society change after corona and conflicts become more intense. “Conflicts are resolved by hanging Cobras on the door. That is really different from previous years,” he says in the talk show.
In his new position at the national police, Paulissen hopes to be able to make a difference. He doesn’t yet know exactly what he wants to focus on first. Although he does mention two major topics that he would like to sink his teeth into.
First of all, the criminal justice chain: “Things are filling up in the Netherlands, such as health care and education. The criminal justice chain too. There is much more than the police and the judiciary can handle, so other solutions must be found for things that are happening now. Think of shoplifting: there must be something will happen to it, but the question is whether criminal law is the answer.”
“I love Brabant.”
Secondly, Paulissen wants to look at the visibility of community police officers. “The police officer should return to the neighborhood,” says the police chief. “A community police officer is closer to the people. So we have to look at how we can organize things differently so that officers can go into the neighborhood again.”
From February, Paulissen will mainly work in The Hague, but will continue to live in beautiful Brabant. “I love Brabant. I was born and raised there and I feel like a fish in water here,” he concludes.
About FRIDAY
FRIDAY is the brand new talk show of Omroep Brabant, presented by Anne-Marie Fokkens. The talk show is the perfect start to your weekend. Every week, Brabanders join the Friday afternoon drinks to discuss, among other things, the news of the week. Regular guest Koen Wijn (known from Omroep Brabant radio) also sits at the bar every week. “With FRIDAY you feel as if you are in the pub with friends,” explains presenter Anne-Marie.
The program will be recorded in Brasserie Meester Keeman in Waalre. “Because it takes place in a public café, something unexpected can always happen. I really like that about it.” Every broadcast is attended by viewers. “It’s a talk show that you can really be part of. You laugh, you learn, and you feel connected to other Brabanders,” Anne-Marie explains.
FRIDAY can be seen every Friday at 5:50 PM on Omroep Brabant television. The program is repeated almost every hour.