In 2019, the police used violence during 14,507 incidents. That is approximately 0.5 percent of the total number of incidents involving the police.
During these violent incidents, 27,574 violent means were used, such as pushing and pulling, the use of the baton, pepper spray and the firearm.
According to police investigator Jaap Timmer, the total number of incidents is comparable to the numbers over the past few years. The use of violent means cannot be compared because it is registered in a new way.
All means used
Until now, only the most serious form of violence used in an incident has been written down. Now all means used count. For example, in a situation where pepper spray and the baton are used in addition to physical violence. “We now have insight into all these three means of violence used,” says violence portfolio holder at the police, Frank Paauw. “This will enable us to better assess how the attack has gone, whether it went well and whether we would do it again next time. This is how we continue to learn from our attacks.”
In 59 percent of the violent incidents, the police officers did not use weapons, for example by pushing and pulling or hitting. In addition, in 8 percent a firearm was used to threaten or shoot. The extendable baton was used in 6 percent of the incidents and pepper spray in 5 percent.
1800 cases tested
Since early 2019, there has been a Violence Employment Committee at each unit that tests the violence used once a firearm has been used, if the detainee has suffered more than minor injuries or if an auxiliary prosecutor deems it necessary.
Nearly 1,800 cases were tested in the past year. In 88 percent of these situations, professional action was judged. In a number of cases there has been reason to impose a disciplinary punishment.
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