International police cooperation

Cooperation between the Benelux and Germany

The police in Germany and the three Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) work together near the national borders. Dutch police officers are working during cross-border cooperation in accordance with the laws of the hosting country and act under command of the local authorities. They are tied to the national law of the hosting country and their actions are carried out under authority of the hosting county.  
In Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg, a Dutch police officer may:

• direct traffic;
• carry out identity checks (such as passport controls);
• surveil, pursue or arrest suspects;
• escort individuals or groups (such as football supporters);
• search locations (for instance in the case of a bomb warning).

Foreign police officers may not issue fines on this side of the border by themselves.

Police cooperation within the European Union

The member states of the European Union (EU) help each other combat organised and cross-border crime. The Netherlands-based organisation Europol is an example of this cooperation. Europol is a European criminal intelligence service that collects information and analyses it to combat serious international crime.

Cooperation between the Netherlands and France

The Netherlands has a special cooperative arrangement with France. On the motorway between Rotterdam and Lille, for instance, police from both countries check for drug smuggling.

European Police College

The European Police College (CEPOL) was established in 2000 as a network of national police colleges that train senior police officers. It offers courses and exchange programmes, which are provided at the national police colleges. The Dutch Police College is an active member. It offers courses and has developed educational materials and an e-learning system for CEPOL.

Worldwide police cooperation

Via Interpol, the Dutch police work with their colleagues worldwide. Interpol provides a network of contact points in each of its member states. Information is exchanged on all forms of crime. The Netherlands is also a member of Interpol.

Dutch international police contact point

The Dutch contact point for international police cooperation is the KLPD's International Police Intelligence Department (IPOL). Tel.: +31 (0) 34 353 5353.

All about Police