Questions in the House of Representatives about the report that the police top is booking luxury flights. The Minister of Justice and Security, Ferd Grapperhaus, responded in writing to questions from Member Van Nispen (SP). The question was whether Grapperhaus believes it is inappropriate for high-ranking police officers to book business class while economy is the standard? The policy on duty of the police, which has been in force since mid-2016, is that police officers travel economy class for air travel within Europe and economy comfort class for air travel outside Europe.
However, according to Grapperhaus, the competent authority can give permission for travel in business class if there is good reason for doing so. There is a valid reason, for example, if the police employees have an important business meeting immediately after arrival, or if the police employee is part of a (foreign) delegation and other delegation members travel business class. The travel expenses of the police summit are, incidentally, public and are placed on the website of the national government as part of their administrative costs.
Van Nispen indicated that there is dissatisfaction within the police about this type of behavior. The Security, Integrity and Complaints Department (VIK) of the National Unit (LE) has investigated the travel expenses of the former head
of the National Information Organization (DLIO) of the LE. This investigation has shown that lawful actions have taken place. The LE management has established that there is insufficient assessment of the efficiency of travel behavior
of the head DLIO has been looked at.
The LE has now tightened up its policy with regard to the efficiency of business trips. Business trips abroad are explicitly tested for usefulness and necessity and connection with the main tasks of the employee concerned. The frequency of business trips abroad is also taken into account. In addition, it has been made clear that managers are expected to show exemplary behavior par excellence.
salary
In 2020, 34 police officers earned more than € 150.000 per year. That income was in accordance with the position they held. The wage requirement set by the police unions in the collective labor agreement negotiations concerns police employees of all job levels. Grapperhaus attaches great importance to good working conditions for all police employees.
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