OM to prosecute police officer accused of using violence to enter anniversary party
The Public Prosecution Service (OM) is going to prosecute an officer for using violence to gain entry to a wedding anniversary in Ruinerworld, Drenthe, last summer. The officer injured several people by hitting them with his baton. The OM suspects the officer of "not having acted in accordance with the use of force instructions.”
The incident happened on August 23 of last year on the couple's property at the Perehoeve. Two special investigating officers, also known as BOAs, were joined by police officers in attempting to conduct a search at a 40th anniversary party, which had around 30 guests. The couple’s three children wanted to let only one officer in rather than the group of four.
This then led to one of the officers deciding to force his way into the party using force. The officer was allegedly filmed hitting, kicking, and pushing several guests. The couple’s daughter reportedly broke her arm as a result of the violence, and the husband spent the night in a police cell in Assen after insulting the police officers, RTV Drenthe reported.
Police apologized for their actions at an earlier stage, explaining “that this situation could have been solved differently.”
The OM launched a criminal investigation into the officer in January. This came after witnesses had testified and the incident had been watched via camera footage. The OM called the use of a baton “disproportionate” and "probably in violation of the violence instruction for police officers.”
The case will now be heard by the Blauwe Kamer in the district court in Utrecht, according to the Dagblad van het Noorden. The special courtroom has been in existence since 2023, and treats cases throughout the country in which police or other authoritative figures are accused of excessive violence.
It is not yet clear when the hearing into this case will take place.
