Investigate fmr Justice Min.'s roll in police finance irregularities: opposition parties

The role former Security and Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten played in majore irregularities in the National Police Central Work Council's expenses should also be a subject of investigation, according to opposition parties SP, CDA, PVV, D66 and ChristenUnie, NOS reports.

The parties also want former Police Chief Gerard Bouman to be suspended immediately and want him to not play any roll with the police until the investigation against him is done. Bouman is currently an adviser for the police.

This investigation is focused on lavish spending by the police's CWC, which included luxury parties, cruises and stays in expensive hotels. Charges were already pressed against Frank Giltay, who resigned as chairman of the CWC as soon as an investigation into the council's expenses was announced.

Minister Ard van der Steur of Security and Justice also launched an independent investigation into whether Bouman played a roll in this. There are suspicions that Bouman bribed the CWC with a large budget - he would say nothing about the CWC's over-spending in return for the CWC agreeing to difficult decisions in the reorganization of the National police.

Governing party PvdA wants to await the results of the investigation into Bouman before taking further steps. As Opstelten was a VVD Minister, it is unclear whether the demand for an investigation into him will get a parlialmentary majority.

In a press conference earlier this week, current Chief of Police Erik Akerboom stated that the expense irregularities can be attributed to Giltay's individual actions and faied supervision on what he was doing. Especially from the rest of the CWC, who seemed unwilling or afraid to stand up to him.