Police cars left unused over failing navigation system

Police across the Netherlands are still struggling with their vehicles' navigation system, according to a letter from Amsterdam police chief Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg which AD has in its possession. Many police cars can't be used because the navigation system often fails and contact with the control room is impossible through it. Police teams are squabbling over the cars and motorcycles that still work, according to the newspaper.

The root of the problems lies in the navigational system built into all police vehicles. This PBS location system is used to exchange information, for example the control room uses it to dispatch officers to reported crimes. In the current situation, police officers have to use their own smartphones to navigate or call the control room.

"Increasingly the execution of police tasks is hampered by the non-functioning PBS system", Aalbersberg writes in the letter. "There are complaints from all teams about its functioning. There are problems with connection, outdated maps, inaccurate location detection and instability."

It is unclear how many police vehicles are unusable because of this system.

The police's Central Works Council also signed the letter, according to AD. The council worries about the safety of officers and citizens. "If the police do not make the response times, that is very serious."

This is not the first time problems with the police's navigation system is brought up. Officers also complained about it in October last year. Then the Corps leaders promised to have the problems resolved by the start of this year.