Amsterdam police chief J. Kuiper warned his 6,000 officers in a letter that they should not use ‘party drugs’ in their spare time. Use of tolerated drugs is ‘dereliction of duty’ for officers and can lead to dismissal. Last year, nine Amsterdam cops were caught using ecstasy pills. Six of them await dismissal, three receive disciplinary punishment. This could include suspension, withholding of pay or holidays.
The Amsterdam police officers could have been warned. The Utrecht police took action last year against four officers who had taken xtc at a house party in Zaandam. A 28-year-old policewoman then died of an overdose. Two were fired, another resigned himself. The nine Amsterdam officers are receiving legal assistance from the Dutch Police Federation.
The program Europamagazin from the German first public TV broadcaster ARD wants research to be done about the drug use at the Dutch police.