Police have enough capacity for NATO summit security, but maybe not for events
As preparations ramp up for the NATO summit in The Hague later this year, the Dutch police are confident they can provide the necessary security for the high-profile event. However, the significant demands on law enforcement resources have raised concerns about the ability to handle other local events.
The summit, scheduled for June 24-25, will draw dozens of world leaders, ministers, and around 6,000 delegates. With heightened security expected at the World Forum in The Hague, where the summit will take place, the police are preparing for what is being called the "largest security operation in Dutch history," according to National Police Commander Willem Woelders.
Woelders reassured local officials that the security effort would not compromise general police duties across the country. "The normal police care will be ensured," he said following a meeting with mayors from various municipalities. However, concerns have been raised about the impact of this massive operation on policing in other areas.
Mayors were particularly concerned about the potential strain on resources in their communities, with the risk that police from local units would be pulled to secure the summit. Mayor Hubert Bruls of Nijmegen expressed unease, pointing out that if an emergency or demonstration occurs, additional police units would have to be called in from other parts of the country, potentially exacerbating risks.
Despite these concerns, Woelders stressed that police would remain on standby to assist local authorities in the event of major incidents. "It may be necessary to postpone some administrative tasks, but police will be on alert," Woelders said. Reserve teams are already prepared to support officers on duty, although Woelders acknowledged that nearly the entire police force will be deployed to ensure security at the summit.
The large-scale police deployment during the NATO summit is expected to limit the availability of officers for other events, especially in the weeks leading up to and following the summit. Some events, such as the Veenendaal-Veenendaal cycling race and the ZLM Tour, have already been canceled due to insufficient police presence. The status of the national cycling championships remains uncertain.
"Events scheduled early in the year can still go ahead, including major events like the Nijmegen Four-Day March," Bruls said. "But for one-time events or those held in different locations, it remains uncertain."
The impact on local events will vary depending on the region, with police availability contingent on whether there are other major security operations in the area. Bruls emphasized that while municipalities understand the situation, they would have preferred more clarity earlier on. He added, "We have received more certainty today that the basic tasks of the police will remain secured, and this provides reassurance."
In a press release, Woelders further confirmed that the police would maintain operations across the country, ensuring that regular services, including emergency response and ongoing investigations, continue. "Police stations will remain open," Woelders said. "The police will continue to respond to incidents and provide operational support as usual."
However, the growing demands of the NATO summit have meant that certain measures were necessary to ensure adequate staffing for both the summit and regular duties. Vacation time for officers has been limited, and the police have adjusted training schedules to ensure that recruits are available for deployment.
Additional personnel, including police volunteers, will also work extra shifts, while the military and other agencies, such as the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, will provide assistance.
