Dutch police used violence 36,000 times in 2024, fired 13 shots

Police registered some 36,000 occasions on which they used physical force last year, the same as in 2023, although complaints about excessively violence have increased.

In two-thirds of the cases, physical force was used to subdue suspects, particularly during arrests. In the rest of the cases, police used a weapon to bring a situation under control.

In 3,000 cases, they used a truncheon, while a taser and pepper spray were used in 1,100 and 750 cases respectively. Police drew a gun 1,700 times and in 13 cases this led to shots being fired.

Some 38% of the cases in which force was used involved people with mental health problems, 4% more than in 2023. “People acting erratically are often unpredictable and therefore a danger to themselves and others,” Amsterdam police chief Peter Holla told broadcaster NOS.

The figures also show police used violence during less than 1% of call-outs or interventions. “Our most important weapon remains our mouth,” Holla said.

Despite no change in the total number of reports, complaints about police excessive force increased, particularly from people who were manhandled during demonstrations.  Last year, 900 complaints about police behaviour during demonstrations were registered, up 150 from 2023.

In 295 cases, the use of force was judged disproportionate or misplaced following a police investigation.

Police are investigating why the number of violent incidents is not falling. Basic police training has been brought down to two years to cope with staff shortages, but still has “ample room” for teaching de-escalating techniques, a police academy spokesman said.

The academy also offers voluntary courses in de-escalating communication skills but could not say how many of the 21,000 officers on the beat have taken the course. “There are fewer places, but demand is bigger, so there is a waiting list,” the spokesman said.

Violence against police last year has also remained at the same level compared to 2023.