Justice Minister says more English instruction is being explored, while police drones are already in use and legislative work to authorize police tasers has not started.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling has acknowledged that Dutch-language requirements can prevent otherwise suitable candidates from entering police training, but said changes must preserve officers’ ability to understand and apply the law.
Responding to MP Veronica Jansen-Webster, Tackling said discussions are continuing with KPSM and the Netherlands Police Academy about making more instruction available in English.
“English is essential for effective policing and communication with our community,” she said.
English Instruction Requires Supporting Materials
According to Tackling, the Police Academy has expressed willingness to explore whether parts of its education and training can be delivered in English.
However, she said Dutch remains important within the justice system and officers must be able to work effectively within that framework.
Changes would therefore require reliable English translations of relevant legislation, appropriate training materials and targeted Dutch-language instruction.
The minister did not announce an agreement, implementation date or an English-language training programme ready for use.
She described the discussions as ongoing, aiming to remove unnecessary recruitment barriers while maintaining professional and legal standards.
Drones Already Used in Police Operations
Tackling said police drones are already being used legally in operations.
She explained that the proposed camera surveillance ordinance is intended to cover fixed and mobile cameras, including drones temporarily deployed to monitor public spaces or incidents.
According to the minister, existing public-order responsibilities can permit drone use before that legislation is completed, provided the deployment falls within those responsibilities.
She stressed that surveillance must be necessary and proportionate, with safeguards for privacy and the handling of recorded images.
Police Taser Amendment Has Not Begun
Tackling drew a distinction between pepper spray and tasers.
She said pepper spray is already permitted under the existing police instructions, whereas tasers would require an amendment before officers could use them.
“That work for tasers specifically has not yet started,” she said.
The ministry has begun exploring the possibility of tasers, including potential purchasing options for a pilot programme. Those preliminary inquiries do not constitute completed legal authorization for operational use.
On civilian access to pepper spray or tasers, Tackling said existing weapons legislation provides a framework for individual authorization applications. She emphasized that submitting an application does not create a right to approval and that each case must be assessed under the applicable strict requirements.
Police Need Marked Vehicles
Addressing suggestions that government rent vehicles to tackle crime, Tackling said the force already has civilian vehicles.
The shortage, she explained, concerns marked police vehicles equipped with sirens.
She said pursuits, stop orders and movements through traffic cannot safely be carried out in ordinary rental vehicles, while rental insurance may also restrict such use.
Vehicles are nevertheless rented when needed for major events or hurricane-season operations, she added.
Available Officers Must Remain on the Streets
Tackling also rejected proposals to station regular patrol officers at the building referenced in the questions, saying current staffing does not permit it.
“They have to be on the streets and not in a building,” she said.
She reported that patrols and controls are being strengthened with additional assistance from the Marines and Royal Netherlands Marechaussee.
Separately, she said discussions involving Justice, ECYS and the Marines had not secured the structural support requested for military-style training. The constraint, she explained, concerns the Marines’ capacity and availability.
Private Contributions Can Support Justice
Tackling said businesses and individuals interested in contributing can contact her or her cabinet in writing, or approach KPSM directly.
She also identified the Crime Fund as a potential route for contributions, citing its provision for private donations.
Such contributions, she said, must serve the fund’s purposes and be accounted for alongside its other income.
