Rotterdam police officer fired, arrested over multiple sexual offenses

A police officer in Rotterdam has been fired for “serious dereliction of duty.” He is in custody on suspicion of multiple sexual offenses. Authorities also say he unlawfully accessed police systems and are investigating his involvement in an incident where a 59-year-old woman was injured after she had been arrested.

The employee who worked at the emergency call center was already suspended in August last year after a report of a sex crime was filed against him. At the time, the police stated that it concerned a “possible criminal act committed during private time.” The criminal investigation into the sex offenses has led to prosecution. The case has yet to be substantively heard in court.

On April 14 this year, police arrested the then 34-year-old man in Altena on suspicion of sexual offenses and violating official secrecy, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) reported. Authorities also confirmed that there are a total of four reports filed against him.

According to Rijnmond, the woman had been arrested on April 17, 2024, for causing a disturbance in the Rotterdam-Prinsenland area. After she was arrested, she sustained an injury during a driving maneuver performed by the officer driving the van. The woman had to be taken to the hospital after this.

The OM declined to give further details about the nature of the offenses. They are investigating the events with the Department of Safety, Integrity, and Complaints (VIK) and the sex crimes unit. A judge had extended the suspect’s pre-trial detention by two weeks on Thursday.