The four police trade unions on Friday walked out of negotiations with national police force chiefs and the justice ministry about the reorganisation of police personnel in the new system.

The national police force was introduced in January this year, merging 25 regional forces into a single force with 10 regional divisions. Discussions have been continuing for months on the details of the reorganisation.

The trade unions say they are being treated with contempt by national force chiefs and justice minister Ivo Opstelten who are systematically ignoring agreements, Nos television reports.

Favouritism

There is favouritism in some appointments while promotion of other police agents is being blocked, say the unions. In addition, too many expensive external workers are being used to fill vacant jobs.

A long-running argument concerns overtime conditions. Police agents have an agreement they can choose to be compensated for overtime either in money or in days off. This agreement is now under pressure, the Nos says.

The ACP trade union says on its website that agents are now only allowed to be compensated for overtime in days off.

Concern

The unions say a quarter of their members are worried about the new job division in the national force and are concerned they will no longer be able to do their job properly.

There has been no reaction from the national police force or from the justice minister.

Last week, local mayors told the NRC they think Opstelten has too much influence over the national police force.