Education First classes of new bachelor's degree program Criminal Investigator have started Written on Thursday, February 1, 2024 The first two classes will start this week with the new Criminal Investigator training at bachelor's level. This shortened course at the Netherlands Police Academy lasts three years and trains students to become detectives in an investigation team. The Criminal Investigator course is one of the new bachelor's programs that the Netherlands Police Academy is developing on behalf of the police. New training courses for Police Officer, Community Officer and Police Leader are also in the making. These will start in 2024/2025. Why new courses? Our society is constantly changing. We are dealing with a diverse society that is also becoming increasingly complex. Criminal investigation and police work on the street and in the neighborhood now also require bachelor's competencies. The Netherlands Police have updated the professional profiles. So that they better meet what society demands. On this basis, the Netherlands Police Academy has drawn up qualification files on which it develops new education. Police professionals at intermediate vocational and higher professional education level are desperately needed. With these shortened bachelor's courses, we ensure that new colleagues are added. Capacity that we desperately need. Content of the courses The new bachelor's programs start with a joint foundation year. This provides students with a solid foundation to become an agile and resilient police professional. For example, they learn police skills and how to use their investigative attitude within police practice. In the years that follow, students learn at the Netherlands Police Academy and gain a lot of practical experience in the training field of their choice. Erie Braakhekke, sector head of Higher Police Education at the Netherlands Police Academy, is proud of the development of the new bachelor's programs. "We have worked extremely hard on these new courses over the past year and a half. The fact that the first bachelor's program is now really starting is a milestone. A moment to celebrate. Naturally, we have been keen on the quality of our education from the start. We do this with regular evaluations with students and the guidance teams. I wish all students who start this week a lot of fun and success." Start other courses The Criminal Investigation course starts several times this year. The bachelor’s programs for Police Officer and Community Police Officer start in weeks 33 and 45. The Police Leader bachelor’s program will start in 2025. For a training place, students must have a higher professional or university diploma. Accreditation The government assesses the courses for legal recognition on bachelor’s degree. This process takes some time. We expect to receive accreditation this for the Criminal Investigation bachelor’s program in 2024.