The national police force management sees a lot of hard work on solving problems with the C2000 communication system and that there are plenty of alternatives. The ACP police union said earlier Thursday that there are major problems with the new version of the emergency services system that became operational three weeks ago, reported RTL News. For example, officers could no longer reach the control room.
Through a spokesperson, the police force has announced that the system works well in some places, but that it is stuck in other places.
“Most units are doing well,” she says. “Only at the East Netherlands, Zeeland West Brabant and Rotterdam units have we received reports that the system sometimes fails.”
The renewed C2000 started in the night of 27 to 28 January and is an update of the network that has existed since 2004. The mobile communication system that cannot be monitored by third parties is used by, among others, the police, fire brigade, ambulance services, the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and various defense services. C2000 falls under the vital infrastructure of the Netherlands.
Various alternatives, such as a special app
Since the update, the range of the network would be worse than before. It is a matter of time before there are dead or injured, the police union says.
Agents cannot reach the control room to request assistance and sometimes have to call 112 themselves. ACP is said to have received hundreds of reports from agents who had problems.
The spokesperson for the corps leadership does not recognize the statements of the ACP that people could die. “We continue to guarantee the safety of our people and citizens. Agents can rely on alternative systems to contact the control room. For example, a special app has been introduced that can be used as a backup during the transition phase.”
Starting problems
Justice and Security Minister Ferd Grapperhaus contradicts RTL News of start-up problems. “There are problems, I am not going to deny that and we have to fix them as quickly as possible.” The C2000 project officially falls under the Ministry of Security and Justice, so the police department supports Grapperhaus’s response.
A team of experts is available day and night, it has been agreed to solve all problems before March 27. However, the spokesperson cannot give guarantees.
“I see that hard work is being done to solve the problems,” the spokesperson says. “But if you’re on the street and it doesn’t work, that’s your reality. Fortunately, you can fall back on other alternatives.” She understands that the unions say it is not going fast enough. “They stand up for their people. Our people are our gold, they do the work.”
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