Ministerie van Justitie

The new system of special units

Special units of the police and the armed forces can be deployed in the Netherlands to put an end to life-threatening situations, or to arrest individuals who are armed and dangerous and/or suspected of terrorism and extreme violence.

The system of special units has been reorganised to improve its cohesiveness and ensure the best possible approach to present-day terrorism. For that purpose a new umbrella agency, the Special Intervention Service (Dienst Speciale Eenheden; DSI), has been set up at the National Police Services Agency. 

This service is responsible for the operational management of special units when they deal with terrorism, cases of extreme violence and other special situations. The Minister of Justice, advised by a policy team, decides when to deploy the DSI. In some exceptional situations, however, the Chair of the Board of Procurators General has a mandate from the Minister of Justice to make that decision. Deployment of the DSI takes place under the authority of the Public Prosecution Service.

More information

• Factsheet The system of special units24-04-2007 | pdf-document, 16 KBIn the Netherlands, it is possible to deploy special police and military units in certain cases, for instance to bring an end to life-threatening situations. This leaflet provides facts & background information about the system of special units.