Dutch Police to Be Barred From From Organizing Religious Events, Attending in Uniform
The new code bars officers from organizing or joining religious rituals in uniform, while still allowing quiet observance inside stations.
- Chief constable Janny Knol confirmed on September 21 that the Dutch national police will stop organizing religious celebrations for non-staff starting January 1, 2027.
- Parliamentary pressure drove the shift after the House of Representatives backed a motion from MP Ingrid Coenradie, which justice minister David van Weel confirmed in a letter to parliament.
- Officers may still attend external events like Christmas or Ramadan without participating in rituals; organizing or facilitating in uniform is forbidden, though a "functional visit" remains permitted.
- Knol added that "precisely at a time when" police scrutiny is increasing, the force must define its position, while ChristenUnie leader Mirjam Bikker noted she had "never received an invitation from the police for a Christmas carol service."
- The amended code of conduct covers every faith, including Christian celebrations at Easter and Christmas, though Knol maintained that contact with communities remains "indispensable" for trust and de-escalation.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Criticism regarding the police's organization of iftars came from The Hague. The police leadership's decision to put an end to this has been met with incomprehension among the officers involved. "We have been doing this for thirty years, and now suddenly it is no longer acceptable?"
Algemeen Dagblad
destentor.nlAs of January 1, the Dutch police will stop organizing religious gatherings for people from outside the organization. The police leadership intends to ‘safeguard the neutrality of the police’ by doing so.
dagelijksestandaard.nl
THE HAGUE (ANP) - The police will stop organizing public religious gatherings, such as those for Ramadan, next year. The amendment to the code of conduct for officers will take effect from January 1, 2027. The police confirmed this following reporting by De Telegraaf. The newspaper wrote about gatherings...
Police officers are still allowed to attend religious celebrations organized by others.
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