Organisation Education Research 'Connecting and taking action calls for exceptional skills' Written on Monday, September 2, 2024 Police work in a divided society. That was the central theme during today’s Opening of the Educational Year at the Netherlands Police Academy in Apeldoorn. Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel was one of the attendees who talked about this subject. ‘Connecting and taking action at the same time calls for exceptional skills, particularly in a polarized environment. I am glad to hear that this subject is given a lot of attention in police education, for instance in the components de-escalating communication and dealing with resistance.’ This year’s Opening of the Educational Year was about how education and research respond to the demands of police work in a divided society. The day started with three mini lectures. In his opening address, Director of the Netherlands Police Academy Leonard Kok reflected on the growing contrasts and lack of tolerance in today’s society ‘We see every day that there is a growing division between members of society, said Leonard. ‘We notice this in two ways, also inside the Netherlands Police Academy. First of all, in the way people treat each other. Last year, shortly after the results of the House of Representatives elections, I circulated a message with the question: #whatisitliketobeyou. I didn’t come up with it myself, but I liked it a lot. It is easy to keep repeating your own views. But for the sake of tolerance, it’s much better to ask each other interested questions: how are you doing? Why are you sad, or happy? This kind of dialogue is urgently needed both within the Netherlands Police Academy and within the police organization.’ ‘Secondly, the division in society has consequences for practical policing and police training’, said Leonard. ‘Developing men and women into good police officers is becoming more and more important in training. We refer to this as professional identity, which is about standing firm on your feet. That means literally, in a physical sense, but also metaphorically, in terms of mental and moral resilience. Commissioner Janny Knol added an important point to this, namely the rule of law criterion. The police serve with vigilance the values of a society governed by the rule of law. You are allowed to hold demonstrations, of course. But that does not mean you’re free to do as you please. We have freedom of opinion. But that does not mean you are allowed to discriminate or make racist jokes. This applies both within and outside the police organization. The Netherlands Police Academy’s task is to train police officers who stand firm on their feet. Who can make a difference and are able to do their jobs well.’ Chairman of the day Louis Pronk spoke with Leonard Kok and Deputy Commissioner Liesbeth Huyzer. The latter emphasized the crucial importance of devoting attention to the subjects of division and polarization. ‘We have to equip our new colleagues even better for the role they are going to fulfil. Sixty percent of colleagues in the Central Rotterdam frontline policing team have not been there for longer than three years. Many students who have just finished training start their jobs in a complicated environment. We have to prepare them as thoroughly as possible and make them resilient towards everything they may be faced with.’ David van Weel made his first speech as Minister of Justice and Security In his speech, he particularly addressed the police students. ‘Although I do not yet know policing and police work inside out, I do have a first impression. Not only because of my initial talks with police personnel and force command, but also because police work is getting a great deal of media attention. And that is not surprising. Even before, but especially since, COVID-19, contrasts in society have become sharper. People appear to be more prone to social unrest and to express it more strongly. Grey areas are becoming smaller and smaller. It’s got to be either black or white.’ With that, the Minister referred to, among other things, the pro-Palestinian protests, climate activists blocking the A12 motorway, and farmers setting fire to haybales and car tyres on motorways. ‘These examples have one thing in common: they led to the deployment of hundreds of extra police officers. Officers who would have preferred to have spent their time on community patrol, investigations or tackling drug-related crime. I find that painful. And when people then judge the actions of the police on the basis of their political views, it’s extra painful. Because the police are pre-eminently neutral.’ ‘As your new Minister I believe it’s extremely important that you can do your job properly’, the Minister again addressed the students. ‘So you can concentrate on the police’s core duties. For this, we need a society in which people look out for one another, instead of pointing to someone else or the government. Where people do not immediately hit the streets because the government is not doing enough, but instead find out who in their street could use some extra help. Not immediately shout down the other person but start a conversation to try and work things out. What we need is a more resilient society, and I will make this appeal as often as I can in the time to come.’ After this address, attention was given to the study ‘Police work in remote corners’. Researchers studied police work that was done in remote areas, where residents have little faith in the government. Teun Meurs, senior lecturer of Area-based Policing talked about this with Ali Küçüksahin, police officer on the beat in Delfzijl Noord and outlying villages to the north. Furthermore, lecturer Bart Collard spoke about how you can make polarizing issues subjects for discussion in professional education. Teacher Duo of the Year 2024 Deputy Director of the Netherlands Police Academy Kathelijne van Kammen then announced who had been proclaimed Teacher Duo of the Year. This year was the first time it was a duo nomination: A teacher and an operational colleague who work together, thus improving the training even more. Lecturer of Criminal Investigation Martijn van Beek and Karlijn Martens, operational specialist at National Investigations and Special Operations, are the winners. Lastly, attention was devoted to the question of what it means to be “qualified to start” in 2024 and what an important role mental resilience plays in this context. Lecturer of Mental Resilience Olaf Sichterman talked about this subject with student Giel Zwaag. Start of a new tradition Minister van Weel stepped forward again for the conclusion of the Opening of the Educational Year. A video link had been established with the clock tower of the Netherlands Police Academy, where two students were ready to ring the bell and usher in the new educational year. To let the outside world know that a new academic year has begun. To continue building the police of tomorrow and beyond.