‘Lecturers and supervisors are crucial for effective socialisation’

Politie en Wetenschap, the Police and Science research programme, has published a report titled ‘Politieagent worden. Socialiseren in de wereld van de politie’ (Becoming a police officer. Socialisation in the world of the police). The study was commissioned by Politie en Wetenschap and carried out by Twynstra Gudde and Bureau Landman. ‘This report shows we can’t afford to just sit back and relax where this area is concerned’, comments Leonard Kok, Director of the Netherlands Police Academy.

The study shows that the socialisation of newcomers within the police organisation is a gradual process in which, step by step, civilians adopt the role of police officer. To start off with, the police trainee mainly feels like a civilian in uniform. But gradually they come to identify with the profession. During and after their training, both their professional competence and their sense of connection with the organisation grow.

Joint responsibility

The training and development of police officers is the joint responsibility of the Police Academy and the police organisation, Leonard says. ‘Students start their journey with us. Then in their on-the-job training, they are further supervised by police officers on the ground. This ensures we end up with new police officers who are not only thoroughly trained in the theory, but have also learned to put their training into practice.’

Police training has several functions: knowledge acquisition, skills training, and personal development. This doesn’t happen all at once. Leonard: ‘Police officers (both new ones and ones who are more advanced in their careers) are in the comfortable position of having ample opportunity for life-long learning. Accordingly, the Police Academy offers an extensive range of training courses and specialised professional courses.’

Student and work

The report by Politie en Wetenschap shows what a new police officer’s journey looks like and sketches how the new officer and their working environment will have to adjust to one another. It transpires that it is quite daunting to start working in an environment where team spirit is so important. Will I fit in?

Social integration into the organisation occurs in a series of steps, the report shows. To start off with, newcomers mainly just observe. Later they actively take part in conversations, banter, and social interactions. Their sense of belonging varies: some find fitting in straightforward, whereas others continue to doubt whether they really fit in within the culture of the police.

Leonard: ‘The environment can influence the new police officer, but the reverse is also true. The challenge for the Police Academy and for the police organisation as a whole is to create space for the new officer to develop in a way that aligns with who they are. Police for All sets an important example here. Can someone be themselves, but can they also work in a group that is diverse? Or what happens with students if they end up in teams that are not at all diverse?’

Treasuring lecturers and supervisors

Leonard: ‘The Police Academy and the police organisation rightly invest a great deal of energy in supervising students. First of all, the lecturers. They provide students with an environment in which they can learn, practise, and also explore their own identity, views, and ethical standpoints. In this way, students arrive at the start of their practical policing not only trained and ready for the job, but also with an awareness of their own individuality and conscience.’

Leonard emphasises that from then on it is up to the officers’ on-the-job supervisors to help ensure they find their place in the team. ‘If there’s one message we should take from this study, it is that we must treasure our lecturers and on-the-job supervisors – and that includes investing in their professional development for these roles.

Students have to find their own way, but lecturers and supervisors are crucial. If you take on this role, I really think that’s a big plus point on your cv. It’s important work, and it’s rewarding to see new police officers finding their feet. But it’s still hard work! Because socialisation is complicated but vital. That emerged clearly from the research.’