Netherlands: political intelligence gathering reorganised
01 January 1991
Netherlands: political intelligence gathering reorganised
artdoc October=1991
In June 1991, the long-awaited report was published of the
working group `co-operation structure Police/BVD', chaired by the
Apeldoorn chief of police, J W Bakker. This report proposes some
solutions to the continuing problem of local political
intelligence mishaps by the Plaatselijke Inlichtingendiensten
(PID's), resulting from outdated concepts and amateurish methods
of local sleuths spying on pacifists and communists.
The 40-page report stresses the importance of a professional
approach to local political intelligence gathering. Parallel to
the ongoing police reorganization, which will transform the Dutch
police into 25 regional departments and one national body, the
working group advises creating regional intelligence services
(RID's), staffed with full-time personnel. Strict planning,
reporting and evaluation procedures are proposed to change the
present semi-autonomous practices, and integrated training
programs of BVD and police personnel are proposed to bring RID
and BVD employees on the same level of knowledge and skills. One
important element in the reforms will be the central
administration of all political intelligence in a region,
including the detailed registration of all `work contacts' with
agents and informers `for the protection of the employees
themselves'.
This is clearly a reaction to past events in which PID case
officers were `taken over' or blackmailed by their contacts, or
started deploying them for their own private undertakings,
including cases of fraud, extortion and arson.
By tasking the new RID's with providing tailored BVD
information to local authorities, a more effective and
influential use of intelligence is anticipated. Also, structural
co-operation with local criminal intelligence services involving
exchange of information and sharing of investigation facilities
is deemed necessary to deal with `disruptive phenomena' of shared
interest.
In relation to present developments on the European scene, the
new RID's are to establish or intensify contacts with their
foreign counterparts. The committee proposes profiting from
experiences with methodologies and training courses in the field
of political intelligence in other Schengen or Trevi states. Even
more urgent however is the lack of standardization in local PID
computer systems, which in many cases renders an efficient
exchange of information virtually impossible. The Dutch
parliament is expected to discuss the new proposals at the end
of the year.
Statewatch no 4 September/October 1991