Dutch police don't want to work over New Year's due to fireworks
A growing number of Dutch police officers are refusing to work during New Year’s Eve celebrations, citing severe safety risks, inadequate protection, and ineffective fireworks policies. A recent survey by the Dutch Police Union (NPB) of 3,400 officers revealed that nearly 40 percent of respondents plan to opt out of duty unless significant changes are made.
The survey highlights mounting concerns among officers, with 44 percent stating that police cannot sufficiently protect the public under current conditions. Respondents described New Year’s Eve as a dangerous “warzone,” with officers targeted by heavy fireworks, subjected to violent attacks, and even lured into ambushes.
“Police officers are not cannon fodder,” said one respondent, echoing the union’s demands for urgent political action, including a nationwide ban on consumer fireworks and better safety measures.
NPB Chair Nine Kooiman emphasized the urgency of addressing these risks. “Officers feel like they’re working in a warzone,” Kooiman said. “They’re being attacked with projectiles that cause permanent injury. It’s unacceptable that the minister and employers allow officers to be deployed in such extreme conditions.”
The union is pushing for a nationwide ban on consumer fireworks, a topic set to be debated in the Tweede Kamer next month. Kooiman said, “The solution is clear, and politicians must act now. Without action, the police force will continue to lose staff.”
More than 60 percent of respondents believe officers should step back from dangerous situations to prioritize their safety. One officer described the dangers of being targeted by powerful fireworks like Cobras. “If a Cobra lands in your collar, it’s over,” the officer said.
Officers also noted the challenges of enforcing fragmented local fireworks bans, combined with ongoing personnel shortages. “We’re avoiding arrests because there’s no one left to patrol the streets afterward,” one officer explained.
Police leadership faced criticism for operational shortcomings and inadequate support for injured officers. Communication tools such as the C2000 system were flagged for persistent failures, while officers described long bureaucratic processes to claim compensation for injuries.
“It’s outrageous that injured colleagues have to fight through endless procedures with their own employer to get compensation,” one respondent said.
Kooiman criticized decision-makers for lacking insight into frontline realities. “The disconnect between leadership and the dangers officers face is unacceptable,” she said.
Officers also pointed to gaps in training, with only half of respondents feeling adequately prepared for New Year’s Eve deployments. Kooiman noted that recent shortened police training programs have reduced focus on managing large-scale violence. “Protecting officers from extreme violence requires intensive training,” she said.
The survey revealed deep dissatisfaction among officers, with 75 percent reporting a lack of confidence in political leadership. A veteran officer summed up the frustration: “Every year, it’s the same. Colleagues get injured, and every year the government says this can’t go on. But nothing changes.”
The union warns that without decisive action, more officers will refuse to work during the celebrations. “We want to protect the public, but not at the expense of our own lives,” one officer said.
