Dutch police to trial tear gas water cannons and long-range pepper spray

Caretaker Justice Minister Foort van Oosten has given the police permission to carry out a two-year trial adding tear gas to the water in water cannons. The riot police will also be equipped with pepper spray canisters that can reach 6 to 7 meters.

In a letter to the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, the VVD minister explained that the trials with heavier weapons became necessary following far-right riots in The Hague, during which police cars were torched and multiple officers and journalists were injured.

The tear gas in the police water cannons is intended to keep groups at a distance and quickly halt violent behavior. Van Oosten also said it could be used “tactically” to disperse groups from certain areas. The new pepper spray canisters are intended to maintain distance between police and individuals.

At the request of the police, it is being investigated whether a trial could also be conducted with air pressure weapons and paint in water cannons. These weapons fire projectiles more slowly than conventional firearms. The police note that, as the research is ongoing, details about the specific weapons and projectiles have not yet been determined.

Nine Kooiman, chair of the Dutch Police Union, called it good news for the safety of officers on X. Police chief Janny Knol said the force requires more choices in the use of force. “We aim to respond proportionally, never more than necessary. Sometimes colleagues are put in situations where they must consider using firearms because no ‘lesser’ option is available,” she explained.