Dutch police to be barred from from organizing religious events, attending in uniform
Police officers may no longer organize or facilitate religious gatherings and will possibly be barred from attending them in uniforms. Insiders told De Telegraaf that police, safety regions, and Justice Minister David van Weel are reportedly striking agreements for stricter enforcement for police neutrality. Active participation in Ramadan celebrations will also allegedly be reined in.
Officers fall under the so-called lifestyle neutrality code of conduct while on duty. Given that police attend Islamic Ramadan gatherings and sometimes reportedly organize them, that neutrality has been questioned for a while.
The rules officially apply to all religious gatherings, including Easter and Christmas. However, according to De Telegraaf, politicians realize that it is mostly Islamic gatherings that the police attend. "I have never yet encountered a police station that sends out an invitation to a Christmas sing-along service," CU leader Mirjam Bikker said.
The debate flared up again this spring after the Midden-Nederland police unit organized an iftar in Almere. The Utrecht police, in the meantime, described Ramadan as a "holy month" on social media. The Amsterdam police has also held such celebrations for more than 20 years, De Telegraaf reported. The most recent editions featured speeches by police chief Peter Holla and Mayor Femke Halsema.
Under the new operation framework, nearly all participation in “external religious gatherings” is expected to be restricted. Organizing, facilitating, or attending any religious events will reportedly be banned, De Telegraaf reports. A “functional visit" to maintain ”connection with the neighborhood or community" will be allowed.
A large part of the Tweede Kamer has reportedly long wanted clear rules. The SGP and JA21 have already tried to restrict police iftar gatherings, but the motion fell short of a majority. According to De Telegraaf's insiders, Justice Minister Van Weel and the police will now carry out the wish of the VVD, PVV, CDA, JA21, FVD, Group Markuszower, BBB, SGP, CU, 50PLUS, and breakaway MP Mona Keijzer.