Report: Top Defense official tapped as new nat'l police chief

Erik Akerboom, senior official at the Ministry of Defense, is the preferred candidate for the new Chief of the National Police. The selection committee, consisting of representatives from the police and the Ministry of Security and Justice, consider him the best candidate. The police's central works council discussed the matter with him this week and came to an agreement for his appointment, NRC reports. The 54 year old Akerboom is currently the secretary general of the Ministry of Defense. He stuied at the police academy in the 80's and worked at the police in Utrecht from 2003 to 2009. He was also chief of police in the region of Brabant-Noord. Boom worked at intelligence service AIVD and was also the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism. According to the newspaper, another reason that Akerboom is considered the best successor for Gerard Bouman, is because he has experience outside the police. A spokesperson for Security and Justice would not comment on the choice of Akerboom because "there has not been an appointment yet". Bouman announced his resignation three months ago. He is stepping down on February 1st. A senior investigating officer told NRC that given the problems in the reorganization of the National police - will take three years longer than expected and cost 460 million euros instead of 230 million euros - it was difficult to find a suitable and eager candidate to replace Bouman.